2 kids dead, parents in critical condition after stabbing attack

CEBU CITY — Two children were killed while their parents remained in critical condition after they were attacked by a neighbor inside their house Friday morning in Sitio Iba, Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

The suspect –Jamil Pecate Ibra, 25 – was also killed after Kamad Cabugatan, 43, was able to fight back.

The police had yet to determine the motive why Ibra attacked the Muslim family. But Inspector Zanaido Pastorfide, Lapu-Lapu police homicide chief, said the suspect may have been high on drugs – a suspicion shared by Ibra’s brother.

Killed were Jamalodin Cabugatan, 15, and younger sister Norjata,  10.

Kamad and his wife Shamza, 38, remained in critical condition at the Mactan Doctors’ Hospital in Lapu-Lapu City.

Initial investigation showed that Ibra suddenly barged into the house of the Cabugatans about 10:30 a.m. Friday.

He first stabbed Norjata, who was at the door, with an 11-inch knife. He then attacked Shamza who was doing household chores.

He then stabbed Jamalodin who was sleeping at that time before he moved to attack Kamad. But Kamad was able to fight back and managed to repeatedly stab Ibra.

PO2 Angelo Abella of Lapu-Lapu police station 4 said the suspect’s brother, who worked as fireman, believed that Ibra was high on drugs when the attack happened.

“The brother believed that the suspect may have been high on drugs and was trying to rest but could not do so because their neighbors were noisy,” Abella said. He forgot to get the name of Ibra’s brother.

An 11-inch knife was recovered from the crime scene.