CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A habal-habal driver was hacked to death by his brother-in-law after allegedly failing to pay the daily rent for his motorcycle in a hinterland barangay here Saturday evening.

Police identified the victim as Roldan Panilag, a resident of Zone 2, Barangay Lower Bulua. The suspect, also named Roldan, is the victim’s brother-in-law.

Investigation showed Panilag was drunk and asleep inside his house when the suspect attacked him, stabbing and hacking him inside his room. Authorities said the two had argued earlier in the afternoon over the motorcycle rental used for ferrying passengers in the area.

The suspect reportedly left after the argument but returned later that evening and carried out the attack. He was arrested in a follow-up operation.

The incident came as the City Road and Traffic Authority announced the release of the second batch of fuel subsidies for motorela drivers who were unable to receive the P7,000 cash assistance on 8 April, amid rising fuel prices.

Habal-habal drivers were also included in the financial aid program. At least 1,350 operators and drivers received assistance, consisting of P5,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and an additional P2,000 from the city government.

City Information Officer Jade Adécer said the initial list of 1,700 qualified beneficiaries was reduced due to incomplete details and inactive registrants.

He added that the city government coordinated with the DSWD for the distribution of the assistance, noting that the additional P2,000 marks the first cash rollout after the city was placed under a state of energy emergency.

The DSWD Field Office has also begun distributing Cash Relief Assistance in Northern Mindanao.