Eastern Samar village exec stabbed to death

INQUIRER FILES

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Philippines — A village official of Barangay Tiguib in Oras town, Eastern Samar was killed in a stabbing incident on Tuesday, January 6, police said.

The victim, Arnel Montallana, 56, the incumbent chairman of Barangay Tiguib, was declared dead on arrival at Oras Doctor’s Hospital after sustaining multiple stab wounds.

According to the Oras Municipal Police Station (MPS), the incident occurred at around 7:50 a.m.

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A concerned citizen reported the stabbing to police, prompting responding officers to rush to the area.

The victim was found lying bloodied on the side of the road with visible stab wounds and was immediately transported by the Emergency Response Team to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead by the attending physician.

Initial police investigation revealed that the victim was on his way home aboard his motorcycle after bringing his wife to their store in Barangay Tiguib. Upon reaching an intersection about 40 meters from his residence, he was suddenly attacked and stabbed by the suspect, identified as Erick Lorot, 45, of Brgy. Butnga, also in Oras.

Police said the suspect used a short-bladed weapon locally known as a “dipang,” stabbing the victim in different parts of his body. Despite managing to dismount his motorcycle and seek help, the victim was chased by the suspect and stabbed again, sustaining a fatal wound to the chest.

The suspect initially fled on foot toward the mountainous area of Barangay Camanga, Oras.

A hot pursuit operation was immediately launched, leading to his arrest at an isolated house belonging to his younger brother in the same barangay. The suspect and the weapon used in the incident were brought to the Oras MPS for proper disposition.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the motive behind the attack. /cb