4 killed, 3 wounded after man runs amok in Ilog

FOUR persons, including a barangay kagawad, were killed, while three others were wounded after a man allegedly ran amok in Barangay Balicotoc, Ilog, Negros Occidental, Tuesday morning, May 14.

In a radio interview with barangay captain Mark Joseph Valenciano, the suspect, identified as William Magbato, allegedly hacked his own wife, killing her, and afterwards proceeded to the house of his brother where he also hacked his own nephew to death.

Magbato then went to a relative's house and also hacked an elderly woman, killing her on the spot.

Barangay officials immediately responded to the calls for help, but Magbato ambushed barangay kagawad Leonilo Balsomo by hitting him with a metal pipe and hacking him repeatedly.

Soldiers from the 12th Infantry Battalion later joined in the manhunt and tracked the suspect down at the local plaza, where he also assaulted a certain Jessie Seroñes.

Seroñes, however, managed to get away with only minor injuries.

Fearing that Magbato might cause more harm to the local residents, the soldiers eventually opened fire at the suspect, hitting him several times in the arm until he dropped the bladed weapon he was holding.

The soldiers and local residents immediately tackled Magbato to the ground and brought him to the hospital before he was turned over to local police.

The victims, meanwhile, were also rushed to the hospital, although Balsomo later succumbed to his wounds.

Valenciano added that when authorities tried to interrogate Magbato, he said he cannot remember what he did.

The victim is now detained at the Ilog Municipal Police Station.