Retired soldier kills brother over dispute

A retired member of the Philippine Army was arrested after he allegedly killed his elder brother over a longtime dispute in their residence last Sunday evening in barangay Apas, Cebu City.

Police said the suspect, Climaco Gala, 53, claimed self-defense after he was confronted by his brother over the rightful owner of the house they were both staying in, in sitio Mahayapay.

SPO2 Edgar Eyac of the Police Community Relation (PCR) of Police Regional Office (PRO-7), also a resident of the place, said he witnessed how Climaco attacked and stabbed his brother Jose Leogardo Gala around 8 p.m.

Police said Jose died due to several stab wounds in the different parts of his body. Paramedics of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) tried but failed to revive him.

Homicide investigator SPO4 Alex Dacua said Jose transferred to Climaco’s house after he encountered an unknown problem in his Naga residence almost two years ago.

Police said Climaco then made a division to accommodate the two families. However, the brothers’ relationship turned sour when Jose challenged his brother to a fistfight every time he got drunk.

Police said the brothers were both drunk when the incident happened after they had a separate drinking session following the Manny Pacquaio and Sugar Shane Mosley boxing fight.

Dacua said the Galas both had knives during the confrontation, but only one was recovered in the scene.

“Naa ni silay bikil sauna pa mao ni nisampot niining hitaboa (The brothers already had a conflict long before. That’s why it went into this),” Dacua said.

The suspect, who is now under police custody, will be filed with appropriate charges./CORRESPONDENT CHITO ARAGON