By Jennifer P. Rendon
Two students landed in the hospital after they were stabbed early morning of April 5, 2022 in La Paz, Iloilo City.
Police identified the victims as Jon Park Alcala, a resident of Barangay Tambaliza, Concepcion, Iloilo, and Niel Vergel Palacios of Barangay Suclaran, San Lorenzo, Guimaras.
Both victims are 23 years old and temporarily staying at a boarding house in Magdalo, La Paz.
Police accounts claimed that the victims came from a drinking spree at La Paz Public Market around 3 a.m.
They were walking home when the lone assailant attacked them.
It appeared that the suspect, who was later identified as Jericho Sosal, 20, of Zone 1, Barangay Rizal, La Paz, was also a patron of the same roadside drinking hole.
But witnesses claimed that no prior altercation happened between the victims and the suspect.
“Basi tripping lang. Na-kursunadahan n’ya lang guro ang mga biktima,” Major Jose Val Ladublan, Iloilo City Police Station 2 chief, said.
Both victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries on their backs.
They were rushed to West Visayas State University Medical Center for treatment.
A hot pursuit operation was immediately conducted but failed to arrest the suspect.
