Pasay condominium stabbing leaves 5 dead

MANILA, Philippines — At least five people were killed in a stabbing incident which occurred on Tuesday evening in a condominium in Pasay City.

According to National Capital Region Police Office Director Oscar Albayalde, the stabbing spree stemmed from a heated argument between the suspect identified as Robert Garan, 39, and his supposed girlfriend Emelyn Sagun, 30, at the Central Park Condominium in Jorge St. Pasay City.

Garan first stabbed Sagun and pushed her off the staircase from the 16^th floor of the condominium.

“Inihulog niya mula sa 16^th floor 'yung biktima. Sa basement na natagpuan ang bangkay,” Albayalde was quoted by a radio report.

Albayalde said Garan was carrying a .38 caliber hand gun which he tried to fire at Sagun. However, the gun did not work so he instead hit the victim with the gun.

After pushing off Sagun, the suspect ran amok as he stabbed other tenants inside the condominium. The stabbing incident leaves four more dead and four others injured.

“Pinagsasaksak lahat ng nadaanan, pati iyong bata,” Albayalde said.

Among the fatalities are Daisery Castillo, 12; Ligaya Dimapilis, 36; Letecia Ecsiagan; and Joel Palacios, 70. Palacios was determined to be a veteran journalist and former head of the media affairs of the Social Security Systems.

Albayalde said police operatives and SWAT members chased down Garan for five hours until he was shot dead on the 22^nd floor of the condominium. A kitchen knife was also recovered from the suspect.

The NCRPO chief, who initially said the suspect may be under the influence of drugs, said jealousy may be a motive in the crime. He said both Garan and Sagun were from Cagayan Valley.

“Talagang matinding selos ang dahilan. Parehong may asawa ang suspek at ang biktima,” Albayalde said. — Rosette Adel