ILOILO City – An 18-year-old student who was found bound to a tree with a knife embedded in his neck in Zone 10, Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo district died while undergoing treatment at a hospital past 12 a.m. on Monday, August 31.
Authorities identified the victim as Aaron Bacolinao, a resident of the said barangay.
At around 10:25 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, local authorities and barangay officials responded to a call from a concerned citizen who reported hearing cries for help. They found Bacolinao bound to a kapok (duldol) tree with severe stab wounds, including a knife lodged in his neck.
He was rushed to the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in Mandurriao district but succumbed to his injuries at 12:36 a.m. on Monday.
“Nakagapos siya [Bacolinao] sa isa ka kahoy, gin-rescue siya, gindala siya gilayon sa hospital,” Iloilo City Police Station 6 (Arevalo) officer-in-charge Capt. Jezreel Emmanuel Penecilla said in an interview with Panay News. “Ang area medyo madulom siya. May mga balay man sa area, pero suludlon, damo kahoy and medyo mabasa ang area. Nasapwan siya didto nga nakagapos.”
He added: “Pagkuha namon sa iya, nag-abot dayon ang SOCO. Nakuha namon [sa area] ang bladed weapon, ang sundang nga ara pa sa left side ka liog naga-attach. May pilas siya sa lower left ka iya arm.”
Police identified the primary suspect as alias “Agi,” 18, a resident of Barangay Calumpang, Molo district, and his accomplice alias “Chris,” 19.
Authorities said despite Bacolinao’s injuries, he remained conscious long enough to identify his attacker to responding barangay tanods.
Police Colonel Wilbert Parilla, director of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), said the circumstances surrounding the incident indicated that the attack was premeditated.
“The tying and killing of Bacolinao were planned,” Parilla stated.
According to Parilla, Bacolinao and Agi were in a relationship and frequently met at the area where the victim was discovered.
“Agi and Bacolinao would sometimes go to that area. There were instances when they agreed that the victim would be tied to the tree and something would happen between them,” Parilla explained, adding that the victim was unaware of Agi’s allegedly plan to kill him.
On the night of the incident, Agi tied the victim to the tree again. After what police believe was a paid encounter, Agi reportedly told the victim that he had no money to give him.
The statement allegedly angered the victim, who threatened to kill Agi if he managed to untie himself.
In response, Agi allegedly attacked first and stabbed the victim multiple times.
Further investigation revealed an agreed payment of P1,000 between Bacolinao and Agi for the encounter.
Police are also investigating a prior meeting between Agi and Chris before the killing.
“Before the crime happened, Agi met with his friend, Chris, who gave him the knife,” Parilla said.
Parilla noted that the victim’s statement identifying the alleged attacker will form a crucial part of the evidence.
As of this writing, the two suspects were detained at Iloilo City Police Station 6 as authorities were preparing to file murder charges against them.
Meanwhile, the victim’s cousin, alias “Lyn,” expressed shock over the incident, describing Bacolinao as a kind and loving person.
Lyn added that their family finds it hard to believe that only one person carried out the attack and vowed to pursue the case until justice is served./PN
