LAGUNA, Philippines — A village councilman seeking a higher position in the coming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) was stabbed dead in Victoria town in this province on Saturday.
Marvin Laluz, 29, was found bloodied by his brother-in-law at around 1 a.m. at his house in Barangay San Felix.
Laluz was rushed to the Bay Medical Center in Bay town, where he was declared dead on arrival due to multiple stab wounds in the body.
Probers said a kitchen knife believed used in the killing was found at the crime scene.
The victim was reportedly running for barangay chairman in the BSKE that will be conducted at the end of this month.
Investigation showed that prior to the incident, Laluz had a drinking session with his companions including the suspect, whom police identified as Jerome Peda.
After the drinking session, Laluz and and the suspect reportedly went to the house of the victim.
Laluz’s sister told police she heard her brother calling for help, but she ignored it thinking it was just due to his intoxication.
Probers expressed belief that the killing was due to sexual assault, noting Laluz was a member of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community.
Several hours later, police arrested a man identified as Jerry Badiao in Pila town.
Probers said Badiao was caught on closed-circuit television cameras driving a motorcycle with Peda as his passenger.
A manhunt has been launched for Peda.
Meanwhile, in Davao City, a candidate for SK chaiman died while playing basketball in Barangay Tawan-Tawan over the weekend.
Philip Saladio Jr. was declared dead on arrival in a hospital after he collapsed in the middle of the game.