‘Frat member’ mauled, stabbed dead

CEBU, Philippines — An alleged fraternity member died after he was beaten and stabbed by another group of alleged fraternity members in Purok Tampro, Barangay Poblacion, Compostela town last Friday night.

According to three witnesess, the victim, Lenie Ochea Noval, a resident of Barangay Basak, went to Barangay Poblacion to have his dinner. But when he boarded his motorcycle after eating, a group of more or less 15 people allegedly blocked his way.

“Iyang gibuhian ang motor, dayon midagan siya. Kay sa hunahuna sa biktima, lahi na gyud ang tumong ana kay daghan kaayo (He left his motorcycle and ran. In his mind, there was danger because there were many young men who were about to attack him),” Police Corporal Roland Alo, desk officer and person in charge of human rights at Compostela Police Station, narrated in an interview over the phone.

Alo said Noval was blocked by an unidentified man from the group. He tried to run but the men allegedly followed him.

He was then mauled even as he was trying to escape.

Alo said there was also a stab wound in Noval’s body. In fact, the knife remained lodged to his chest when he was brought to the hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Citing reports from witnesses, Alo said Noval was a member of a fraternity.

Alo further said that the person who stabbed the victim was identified by the witnesses as a certain Joshua Canlas, 27.

Canlas was arrested yesterday in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City.

Initial investigation showed that Canlas is an ex-convict who was jailed from 2011 to 2017 due to frustrated murder.

Police are still investigating the case to find the exact motive behind the incident. They are also monitoring other suspects who are still on the run.

Canlas is now detained at Compostela Police Station. (FREEMAN)