BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – A Barangay Health Worker (BHW) in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental was repeatedly stabbed at the city’s Crossing Marabo in Barangay Mambaroto.
The 51-year-old Elsa Claridad was a resident of Purok Lubi in the said barangay.
The stabbing stemmed from the financial assistance for victims of super typhoon “Odette”, according to Police Major James Latayon, Sipalay City police chief.
“Odette” (international name: “Rai”) on Dec. 16 2021 brought torrential rains, violent winds, landslides, and storm surges in Negros Occidental and in four other provinces of the Visayas, the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands in Mindanao, and in the island of Palawan before it exited the Philippine area of responsibility on Dec. 17, 2021.
Based on initial police investigation and eyewitness accounts, the suspect, 24-year-old Pablito Morales Jr., got angry at Claridad for asking documentary requirements needed in processing his “Odette” financial assistance.
Latayon said Morales’ anger against Claridad may have been further fueled as the suspect‘s father recently passed away, while his live-in partner left him.
Friday afternoon, May 20, Morales waited for Claridad to pass by the crossing and proceeded to stab her multiple times.
Morales immediately fled the crime scene, while Claridad was rushed by bystanders to the Sipalay City Infirmary for initial treatment before being transferred to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.
Morales was later arrested by Sipalay City policemen.
The suspect faces a frustrated murder charge. He was detained at the Sipalay City police station./PN
