Police eye money dispute in Bacolod teacher killing

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police are looking into a money dispute as the possible motive behind the death of a public high school teacher who was allegedly poisoned by a college student at the teacher’s residence in Barangay Alijis here on Friday.

Police Capt. Jay-R Reyes, head of Police Station 7, said the 24-year-old suspect, initially reported as a senior high school student, told police that he tried to borrow money from the 36-year-old victim during a drinking session, which led to an argument.

The victim was found half-naked and lifeless on the floor when police responded to a reported commotion.

Reyes said the suspect also alleged that he first choked the victim by locking his neck in his arms before forcing him to drink a strong chemical, which authorities suspect may have been muriatic acid.

He added that marks were seen on the victim’s body, possibly burns from the chemical.

Reyes said police have yet to establish whether the victim was mauled before the alleged poisoning, pending the autopsy results.

The suspect attempted to flee through the ceiling but failed, Reyes said.

Police arrested him in the kitchen, where he was hiding.

The teacher and the student were not affiliated with the same school.

A murder complaint was filed Monday against the suspect, who had known the victim for about a year.

Police withheld the full identities of the victim and the suspect at the request of the victim’s family, according to a local report.