Drug suspect kills couple, hurts neighbor in Brgy Busay

CEBU, Philippines - A 27-year-old construction worker allegedly killed a couple in Barangay Busay Monday evening on suspicion that he was being reported to the police and the barangay officials to be included in the list of personalities.

Eduardo Ardiente also wounded his cousin Cyric Balolot, 22, before he went on attacking Ricardo and Francisca Cupta past 8 p.m. on Monday. Ricardo, 63, and Francisca, 62, were watching television when the suspect suddenly barged into their house in Sitio Maaslom and stabbed the victims without any provocation.

Balolot, who sustained stab wounds to his left arm, is now in stable condition at the Cebu City Medical Center. The couple was rushed to the same hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Ardiente escaped after the incident but surrendered to the barangay officials of Busay yesterday afternoon. He was turned over to the City Intelligence Branch where he is now detained. 

Senior Police Office 2 Ruth Bongo-Violango said the suspect first went to Balolot’s house to buy a cigarette. Ardiente called Balolot outside where the two allegedly sit on a bench while talking to each other.

Moments later, Ardiente pulled out a knife and stabbed Balolot in the left arm. The suspect then went to the couple’s house located several meters away from Balolot’s.

Ardiente stabbed Francisca in the chest while Ricardo sustained several stab wounds to different parts of his body. The couple was able to shout for help alerting their neighbors.

One of the couple’s in-laws responded and tried to hit the suspect with an iron rod but missed. The suspect fled towards the river where he allegedly hid overnight. Ardiente later surrendered and admitted to the crime.

Violango said they will ask the suspect to execute an extra-judicial confession. (FREEMAN)