ILOILO City – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) recorded 60 stabbing incidents in five months this year.
Based on records by the IPPO’s Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Unit (PIDMU) from January to May 11, most of the stabbing incidents occurred due to intoxication.
Forty-eight of these cases led to physical injuries, six to homicide, and seven to murder, higher than the numbers recorded last 2020.
The latest incident occurred on May 11, in Barangay Pughanan, Lambunao. Four men including a 16-year-old boy were stabbed by two unidentified assailants.
The victims, Rene and Kenneth Arceño, Joshua Clomata, and Jayson Ambirgo survived the encounter, but received slight injuries.
The incident happened around 11:50 p.m. as the victims were going home.
Two suspects armed with knives suddenly blocked their way and attacked the victims.
The victims were treated at the Dr. Ricardo Y. Ladrido Memorial District Hospital.
The police are still conducting an operation against the suspects.
“Investigation revealed that mostly the victims and suspects started for having a drinking spree, then an argument would ensue, which would end in stabbing,” said IPPO director Colonel Gilbert Gorero.
The colonel is appealing to store owners to limit the sale of liquor and to not allow minors to purchase them.
“We are appealing to store owners to refuse selling liquor, especially at night and to the minors./PN
