BHW injured after being stabbed for failing to give cash aid

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Grudges triggered a man to stab a barangay health worker (BHW), who reportedly failed to list his family as beneficiary of cash assistance in Barangay Mambaroto, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental last Friday.

The victim was identified as Elsa Claridad, 51, of the said village.

Police Master Sergeant Robert Castro, investigator of Sipalay City Police Station, said the incident happened while Claridad was on her way home.

Castro said the suspect identified as Pablito Morales Jr., 24, of the said village, waited for Claridad to pass by the area of Crossing Marabo and allegedly attacked her with a screwdriver.

“Gin bantayan niya ang biktima kag ginbuno tungod sa dumot niya na siguro bala,” Castro said.

Claridad suffered multiple stab wounds and is recuperating at a hospital here where she is stable now, according to Castro.

Castro said that Morales, who is a tricycle driver, was arrested by the police in the area.

Morales allegedly attacked the victim after his family failed to get the P5,000 cash assistance given to the victims of Super Typhoon Odette whose houses were damaged.

“Alegasyon sang suspect na daw gina delay daw sang biktima ang paghatag sang assistance sa ila,” Castro said.

Castro said that Morales alleged that Claridad also asked him for some documents for the cash distribution.

“May mga rason man siya (suspect), kay kuno napatay iya tatay, wala sila ka process,” Castro added.

Morales was charged for frustrated murder over the weekend, according to Castro.