Man runs amuck in Taguig church

A jobless man ran amuck in a Taguig City church Sunday afternoon, stabbing at least five people, including a pastor and a church worker, during a worship service.

Taguig police investigation division head Chief Inspector Celso Rodriguez identified the suspect as 27-year-old Jerry Relacion, who resides near the Jesus King of Glory Christian Church in Barangay Bagong Tanyag.

Initial investigation showed that Relacion went into the church while a worship service was going on and started stabbing people.

Rodriguez said Relacion had been depressed since his girlfriend left him for someone else less than a month ago, and having to listen to the singing during worship services left him irritable.

Rodriguez described Relacion as “nawala sa sarili” or having lost his head during Sunday’s attack.

Police investigators said church worker Jonathan Marquez, 23, was the only one seriously wounded in the attack, sustaining four stab wounds – two in the back, and one each in the chest and belly. The church pastor, 49-year-old Armando de Vera, was also wounded.

The other victims are vendors Rosalinda Decena, 55; Susie de Asis, 30; and Emelita Dominguez, 47.

All five victims were brought to the San Juan de Dios Hospital for treatment. Marquez is still under observation at the hospital.

Relacion tried to escape but an angry crowd pounced on him until policemen put him under arrest. Charges of multiple frustrated homicide have been filed against Relacion, who is currently detained at the police station.