Businessman killed, 5 wounded as man runs amuck in QC

MANILA, Philippines — A businessman was killed while his son and four workers were hurt when one of his employees went on a stabbing rampage inside his house in Quezon City Sunday morning.

Virgilio Labastida, 25, died of a lone stab wound in the abdomen inflicted by his worker identified only as Romulo.

Injured were Labastida’s 3-year-old son John Anthony and workers Romeo Aclo, 22; Victorio Quiaon, 19; Richard Rabasa, 25; and Raymond Villanueva, 20.

PO2 Roldan Cornejo, the case investigator, said the suspect suddenly ran amuck inside his employer’s house on Julio Gregorio Street in Barangay (village) Bagbag, Novaliches, as the victims were sleeping at 5 a.m. on Sunday.

The four stay-in workers were stabbed by Romulo in the living room. Labastida, his son and live-in partner were in another room.

Virgilio’s live-in partner, Melfa Navida, 25, said the suspect seemed “possessed” by an evil spirit at that time. Otherwise, he was easy to get along with as he had no vices and enemies, she added.

The suspect had been working for them for a month as a peanut vendor, she said.

A week ago, the suspect tried to get a job at a construction site in Parañaque City but he came back and went back to selling peanuts.

Another stay-in worker, Labastida’s cousin Jurry, said he suddenly woke up at 5 a.m. because he needed to go to the bathroom.

As he passed by the living room, he was shocked to see Romulo stabbing the sleeping workers.

The shouts of the victims jolted the couple from their sleep. When Labastida opened the door of their room, the suspect lunged at him and stabbed him.

Despite their wounds, the other workers tried restraining Romulo but he escaped.

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