50-year-old who tried to kill housemate charged

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor has indicted a 50-year-old man for allegedly trying to kill his housemate.

Prosecutor Jill Ann Paculba-Gealon held Laurito Jerbese, a resident of Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, for trial after finding probable cause for frustrated murder against him.

Using a fragman knife, Jerbese allegedly hit Juanito Algoso, 51, in the different parts of his body.

Algoso said in his affidavit that when he arrived at their house at around 6 a.m. on October 23, he asked Jerbese why he did not cover the window with the curtain, but the latter did not reply.

Algoso said since he was already sleepy, he covered the window with the curtain himself from the heat of the sun.

However, Jerbese allegedly got angry at him.

Algoso claimed he asked apology to Jerbese and lay down on his bed when a few minutes after, Jerbese went to the kitchen, got a knife and approached him.

Algoso asked Jerbese why he got his knife but the latter did not answer him and instead, allegedly struck him to the right side of his chest.

The victim ran outside and shouted for help but the suspect chased him and continued to hit him in the different parts of his body using the knife.

Algoso quoted Jerbese saying “Patyon tika buanga ka saba kay saku pandungog. Patyon jud tika, tagud-tagurun tika” while striking him.

Due to pain and weakness, the victim said he stopped running and used his hands to protect his body from the suspect’s further attack.

Police immediately responded to the area after receiving a call about a hacking incident. They reportedly saw a bloodied Algoso running and begging for help and an armed Jerbese chasing him.

The policemen asked the suspect to surrender but the latter tried to escape and ran towards the interior portion of the area.

They ran after the suspect who was eventually cornered and arrested. They seized a 21-inch long knife from his possession.

The suspect opted not to invoke his right to preliminary investigation during an inquest proceeding before Gealon; hence his indictment.

Gealon recommended P40,000 bail against Jerbese.  (FREEMAN)