LOVE IN THE TIME OF COVID: Teen stabs to death ex-girlfriend’s beau

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

A murder charge is being readied against an 18-year-old boy for allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend in Lambunao, Iloilo,

The suspect, Leonardo Lego of Barangay Bagongbong, Lambunao, surrendered to Barangay Captain Donald Agustino after the incident.

Police Staff Sergeant Ramon Legayada, Lambunao police investigator, said the suspect owned up to the knife attack that killed 15-year-old Marvin Mortuna morning of May 2 at Bagongbong village.

Investigation indicated that jealousy may have prompted Lego, a Grade 8 student of Jayobo, Lambunao, to kill the victim.

The night before the incident, the two met each other.

Lego asked Mortuna if he could borrow the latter’s mobile phone. He returned it an hour later.

“Maybe, he was looking for evidences or confirmation that his ex-girlfriend and the victim are already dating,” Legayada said.

Lego broke up with the unnamed teenager a few months ago after more than a year of “going steady.”

“Lego could have felt betrayed,” Legayada said.

It is believed that Lego waylaid Mortuna, who went looking for firewood around 7 a.m. Saturday.

A resident claimed to have heard someone asking for help an hour later.

But the resident did not trace the area where the plea of help came from.

At around 11:30 a.m., Mortuna’s stab-riddled body was found around 1.5 kilometers from their home.

He suffered 12 stab injuries on the back.

Legayada said he received reports of negotiations from the suspect’s family for an out-of-court settlement.