ILOILO — Two separate stabbing incidents involving farmers were reported during the observance of Holy Week in the towns of Lambunao and Janiuay on Black Saturday, April 4, leaving one dead and another injured.
Police said a 40-year-old farmer identified only as alias “Nito” died after sustaining fatal head injuries in a stabbing incident in a remote area of Barangay Jayobo, Lambunao at around 9 p.m.
According to Police Lieutenant Vincent Garcia, officer-in-charge of the Lambunao Municipal Police Station, the victim was drinking with two companions when a misunderstanding, believed to have been triggered by intoxication, escalated into violence.
Garcia identified the suspects as aliases “Erwin” and “Henan,” both residents of Barangay Tigbayog, Calinog. He said Erwin allegedly initiated the attack by hacking the victim on the head with a bladed weapon, while Henan followed up with another strike hitting the victim’s left shoulder.
“Our investigation is still ongoing to determine the deeper motive behind the crime,” he added.
The incident occurred in a mountainous portion of the barangay and was only reported to police by the village chief around 9 a.m. the following day. The victim’s body has since been retrieved and brought to a hospital in Lambunao.
Meanwhile, a separate stabbing incident was reported in Barangay Canawili, Janiuay at around 4:30 p.m., leaving another farmer injured.
Police Captain Marlon Perez, officer-in-charge of the Janiuay MPS, said the victim, identified as alias “Ric,” sustained injuries to the left side of his face after being attacked while resting on a hammock.
Alias “Dodoy,” believed to be intoxicated, allegedly claimed he attacked the victim after being laughed at. However, a witness, alias “Tan-tan,” disputed this claim.
“Based on the witness, the victim was already dozing off and was not the one laughing. It is possible that other people nearby were the ones laughing, but the suspect targeted the victim because he was the closest,” Perez added.
As of press time, the victim was recuperating at a hospital, while the suspect remained at large. A hot pursuit operation was ongoing./PN
