Two Killed in Separate Negros Stabbings

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY—An elderly man and a construction worker were killed in separate stabbing incidents in Negros Occidental on Monday.

In Hinoba-an town, a 22-year-old construction worker was fatally stabbed in Barangay Bulwangan after trying to break up a dispute between his cousin and a 22-year-old suspect.

Police Major Jaynick Bermudez, chief of the Hinoba-an police, said the suspect and the victim’s cousin had been drinking separately earlier that day.

The suspect allegedly went to the cousin’s house and challenged him to a fistfight.

The victim attempted to intervene, but the suspect allegedly attacked him with a kitchen knife, stabbing him in the right armpit.

The suspect fled but was later cornered by barangay watchmen. The victim was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Murder charges were filed against the suspect on Tuesday, Bermudez said.

In Escalante City, a 76-year-old man was killed inside his house in Barangay Alimango. Police identified the victim as Ricardo Prietos.

Police Captain Lindsey Caraballe, deputy chief of Escalante City Police Station, said the victim was stabbed by the live-in partner of his 33-year-old daughter.

The victim’s daughter reportedly came home to find the 36-year-old suspect holding a knife. The suspect, who was allegedly drunk, attacked her, wounding her right hand. She managed to escape.

When she returned, she found her father dead in his bedroom with multiple stab wounds.

Police later arrested the suspect in Barangay Pinapugasan and recovered the murder weapon. Investigators are determining the motive behind the attack.

Caraballe said the victim’s family has yet to decide whether to pursue charges against the suspect.