Patient kills elderly woman, hurts four in hospital rampage

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 40-year-old man confined at the Aleosan District Hospital in Alimodian, Iloilo, went on a rampage Monday evening, attacking hospital staff, a fellow patient, and three watchers, leaving an 80-year-old woman dead and four others injured.

Police identified the assailant only as “Roy,” a resident of Barangay Cagay, Leon, Iloilo.

Roy was admitted on October 19 after reportedly attempting to take his own life and was scheduled for discharge on the day of the incident.

At around 6 p.m. on October 21, witnesses said he came out of his private room carrying an intravenous (IV) stand.

He suddenly went berserk and struck a nurse, identified only as “Patricia,” assigned at Station 3.

Patricia, 24, a resident of Barangay San Jose, San Miguel, Iloilo, was hit on her back, head, and right arm, suffering multiple abrasions.

Roy then ran toward the hospital hallway and struck another victim, 48-year-old “Marjorie” of Barangay Ulay Hinablan, Alimodian, on the left side of her head.

He also attacked “John,” 23, of Barangay 8, San Roque North, San Miguel, punching him on the forehead and lower right arm, causing minor injuries.

A third watcher, “Frederico,” 62, of Barangay Sta. Cruz, San Miguel, was hit on the thumb by the suspect.

Roy’s final assault targeted 80-year-old “Lilia,” who was struck on the chest with the IV stand.

The elderly woman, a resident of Barangay Ulay Hinablan, Alimodian, did not survive her injuries.

Several nurses, hospital staff, and relatives of other patients eventually subdued the suspect.

He was later injected with medication to calm him down before police arrived to take him into custody.

Alimodian Police Chief Capt. Chrysler John Ledesma said investigators are preparing to file charges of robbery and physical injury against the suspect.

He added that it would be up to Roy’s family to establish whether he was mentally unstable at the time of the attack.