Laguna barangay chairman hacked to death after refusing to issue quarantine pass

Laguna barangay chairman hacked to death after refusing to issue quarantine pass
Police arrested the suspect a few hours after he committed the crime. (Image from San Pablo City Police)

A barangay chairman in San Pablo City, Laguna, was hacked to death by a resident who was denied of quarantine pass, Tuesday morning.

According to a San Pablo Police investigation, Barangay Sta Ana Chairman Larry Rosales was just talking to the suspect, identified as Pablito Hernandez, 45. Hernandez suddenly hacked the barangay captain using a jungle bolo.

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A CCTV footage near the barangay hall caught the incident and began circulating in the social media.

According to Acting Laguna PNP Provincial Director PCol. Serafin Petalio II, in the report of PLt. Col. Elmer Bao, the police chief, the suspect is a resident of the area and is merely requesting a quarantine pass from the Laguna barangay chairman.

The victim managed to run and escaped, but the suspect eventually grabbed him and killed him.

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Those who responded to the crime scene rushed the victim to the hospital, but Rosales was declared dead on arrival.

The suspect was immediately arrested just hours after the crime was committed. The police were forced to shoot him in the leg since he refused to surrender to the authorities.

According to Hernandez, he was angry at the barangay captain because he treats him like a puppy. He also accused the victim of harassing the women in the area.

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Police said the suspect had previously been arrested for illegal drug use.

The suspect has been locked up at the San Pablo City Custodial facility after being treated at the hospital and has been charged with murder. The police are still investigating the incident.

Also read: 10 arrested for using P3K cash aid in gambling in Nueva Ecija

PNR train blocked in Calamba, Laguna due to quarantine

Some volunteer guards and personnel of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) had an argument a train passed and stopped it at a village in Calamba City, Laguna, on Monday.

Calamba Mayor Timmy Chipeco clarified that they put checkpoints on the railroad to paralyze the trolley operations in the area.

“Pinadadaan naman ang train, ‘yung harang na yun was intended sa mga trolley, mga ginagamit sa riles ng mga tao. Ang problema hindi talaga namin pinapayagang pumasok kase quarantine. Kung hindi namin gagawin yun we will be violating the quarantine provisions,” said Chipeco.

Calamba’s public order and safety office (POSO) said the checkpoint on the railway exists in nearby towns. The train operation was suspended for some time because it could cause the spread of COVID-19.

After a few minutes of misunderstanding, the checkpoint guards let the train pass.