Widower, 72, stabbed; police eye love angle

CEBU, Philippines - Police investigators are eyeing possible “love triangle” as motive in the stabbing incident Tuesday evening that critically wounded a 72-year-old man in Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.

Alexis Catoera, of Sitio Kalubihan in the same barangay, sustained stab wounds to the back and left arm after his neighbor, Felix Salinguhay, 50, attacked him from behind using kitchen knife.

Police Officer 3 Luisito Ernie, homicide investigator, said the victim was drinking with his friends at the house of a certain “Nyssa.” In the middle of the drinking session, the suspect appeared uninvited and stabbed the victim twice without any provocation.

The victim was rushed to Mactan Doctors’ Hospital but was later transferred to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. The suspect fled after the incident and is now subject of a police manhunt operation.

Senior Inspector Zenaido Pastorfide, chief of the Crimes Against Persons Desk of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said that “love triangle” appeared to be the motive behind the crime.

“Si Catoera biyudo na unya naay gipanguyaban nga babae, tiguwang na sab. Nauyonan man sab ni Salinguhay  ang maong babaye mao gidunggab,” Pastorifde said.

Pastorfide said Nyssa maybe the same woman that Catoera and Salinguhay are interested in.

“Posibleng si Nyssa mao ang babaye nga ilahang giawayan,” Pastorfide added.— (FREEMAN)