Cellphone technician killed in stabbing by partner’s father in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A mobile phone technician was fatally stabbed on the morning of October 19 in Molo, Iloilo City.

Police identified the victim only as alias Toto, 26, a resident of Barangay San Juan, Molo.

Captain Ryan Christ Inot, chief of the Iloilo City Police Station 4, said the killing stemmed from complaints that Toto had been physically assaulting his 17-year-old live-in partner.

The couple and the girl’s parents were scheduled for a settlement meeting that Sunday morning at the barangay hall.

Barangay Captain Jose Martin Maloto said the girl’s parents arrived first for mediation.

He immediately called Toto to attend the meeting, but since the girl was not yet present, Maloto asked the parents to wait for her.

While waiting, Toto requested permission to temporarily go home. When the girl arrived, Maloto instructed two barangay tanod to fetch Toto.

However, the girl’s father, identified only as alias Puyo, 42, had already left the barangay hall.

As the tanod and Toto were riding a tricycle back to the hall, Puyo secretly climbed onto the vehicle’s rear portion.

He then repeatedly stabbed Toto in the back and chest.

The victim sustained three stab wounds to his back and two to his chest. He was rushed to Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The suspect immediately fled and remains at large as of press time.