Truck dispatcher found dead in Manila port area

MANILA, Philippines—A truck dispatcher at the port of Manila was found dead at his workplace with a kitchen knife lodged in his chest on Friday morning.

When homicide investigators of the Manila Police District arrived at the area of Truck Watch Cargo Movers at No. 166, 16th St. Port Area past 3 in the morning, the body of Edwin Cabilao, 53, was discovered lying on his side with a pool of blood next to him.

Based on initial examination of the victim’s body, Cabilao sustained multiple stab wounds in various parts of the body causing his instant death, police said.

SPO2 Milbert Balinggan said that they had launched a hunt for the suspected killer, a man known only by the alias “Hapon” who was said to be the victim’s co-worker at the trucking company.

In a statement to the police, Rizalito Jimenez, owner of a store in the area, said he heard two people fighting around 3 a.m. According to him, he heard the victim say, “Labas diyan, labas diyan (Get out, get out),” before he saw Hapon hurriedly leaving the area after emerging from a line of parked trucks.

Balinggan noted Cabilao’s brother Miguel had no idea how the two figured in such a violent fight. There was also no eye witnesses at the crime scene, the police said in their initial report.

But based on the blotter entry at the MPD homicide division almost five hours after the killing, Truck Watch Cargo Movers submitted clearances and official documents identifying the suspect as one Sabino Yap of Malabon City whose whereabouts are now being traced by the authorities.

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