A man was arrested for allegedly hacking another person after the victim refused to give him a firecracker in Barangay Bibiclat, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija, on New Year’s Eve.

According to the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO), the 48-year-old suspect approached the 20-year-old victim outside a friend’s house and asked for a firecracker.

When the victim could not provide one, the suspect reportedly became angry, went inside his house, retrieved a bolo, and struck the victim once on the neck, causing a minor cut.

Police officers from the Aliaga Police Station immediately responded to the incident, leading to the suspect’s arrest and the confiscation of the weapon used in the attack.

The suspect is set to be charged with serious physical injury.

The NEPPO said, "May this incident serve as a reminder for everyone to act responsibly and avoid resorting to violence over minor disputes. NEPPO remains steadfast in its campaign against criminality, continuing to enforce the law and maintain peace and order in the province."