AN ELDERLY man was arrested after he allegedly burned the house of his neighbor in Barangay Pugalo, Alcoy, Cebu late Saturday afternoon.
PO3 Emilio Carungay, chief investigator of Alcoy Police Station, identified the suspect as 62-year-old Saturnino Jimenez, a laborer.
Jimenez allegedly burned the house of Eduardo Cabahig, 68, after the two argued during a drinking binge.
“Gusto kuno sa suspek nga paapilon siya sa religion ni Jimenez (The suspect reportedly wants be part of Jimenez’s religion),” Carungay told Sun.Star Cebu.
Hours after they ended their drinking session, the victim’s neighbor, Kira Dingding, told Cabahig that his nipa hut was already on fire.
Dingding pointed to Jimenez as the one who set it on fire.
Upon learning the news, the victim rushed home only to find his house already destroyed and his chickens dead.
Damage to property was placed at P43,000.
Cabahig reported the arson to the police station. The policemen pursued the suspect and were able to arrest him.
Jimenez, when interviewed by police, denied the allegation.
“Wala kuno siya nanghilabot (He said he had nothing to do with it),” Carungay said.
The police investigator also learned that the two also fought last month over the same issue.
“Basta mahubog, maglalis man gyud kuno na sila (They argue every time they get drunk),” Carungay said.
It was not the first time that Jimenez was accused of arson.
Last year, he was also reportedly implicated in another fire incident.
Carungay said the house that was burned was owned by Jimenez’s relative, but no charges were filed because the matter was settled amicably.
The police are preparing a complaint of arson, which they will file against Jimenez before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office today. (DSM)