Man who killed two probed for possible mental illness

Cotabato map | INQUIRER.net

COTABATO CITY–Police authorities in Alamada town, Cotabato province are probing whether a man who killed two people on Monday had mental illness.

Richel Nikor, 32, allegedly hacked to death his father-in-law, Rolando Salcedo, 56, and wedding godfather Felix Arigola, 70, both residents of Barangay Barangiran in Alamada town.

Major Bryan Espinoza, Alamada police chief, said they arrested Nikor after the incident was reported to the police station.

Initial investigation showed that Salcedo and the suspect had been at odds over the latter’s drinking habit and his being jobless.

But Espinoza said that when he spoke to the suspect, he showed some indications of having mental issues.

Espinoza added that Nikor told him he attacked the duo with a machete because they were “practicing witchcraft.”

“We are determining if he was indeed mentally disturbed,” Espinoza said.

Nikor is currently detained at the Alamada police station.

RELATED STORY:

3 killed in Taguig shooting incident 

JPV