A kagawad was hacked to death last Wednesday at Sitio Sampinit in Escalante City’s Barangay Libertad. Police identified the fatality as 66-year-old Jorge Espada, a former barangay captain and resident of the said community.
Based on a report by Escalante City police, Lorena Mahilum, the victim’s daughter, visited their office and sought police assistance as her father had been slashed by still-unidentified suspects.
She said, prior to the discovery of his body, Espada had been drinking in front of his house with Alejandro Dalaorao, Jolito Catipay, Roberto Aberena, Jesus Careon, and Leonardo Blanco. Around 1:40 p.m. the victim’s wife noticed they had stopped drinking and approached her husband. After assuming he was asleep, she discovered her husband was covered in blood with multiple hacked wounds across his face and head.
The victim was brought to Vicente Gustilo District Hospital and was pronounced dead-on-arrival by the attending physician.
Subsequent operations resulted in Roberto Aberina and Jolito Catipay being brought to the Escalante City Police Station for questioning.
Police are continuing to look into the identity of the suspect and establish a motive behind the incident./DGB, WDJ