2 IDC studes attacked in broad daylight
Members of the Iloilo Doctor's College (IDC) community and families of two students here are in shock and total grief over yesterday's broad daylight attack in a nearby college coffee shop.
The incident took the life of 23 year-old Denmark Salinas of MYL Subdivision in Barangay Buhang, Jaro, Iloilo City while longtime friend 25 year-old Abel Cabardo hangs on to dear life. Salinas succumbed to a stab wound in his stomach and a gunshot wound in his back.
Salinas was a Radiologic Technology student while Cabardo is currently enrolled in the IDC Information Technology department.
A 15 year-old high school student of the John B. Lacson Maritime University is being held in police custody. A woman witness reached by responding police and reporters tagged the 15 year-old as the principal assailant of Salinas while another male shooter escaped and remains subject of intensive police manhunt operation.
Initial police investigation disclosed the recovery of two 8-inch kitchen knives, one still bloodied when picked up by Molo cops. An empty shell of a .38 caliber revolver was also recovered as witness accounts confirmed at least two gunshots fired within seconds that Salinas was stabbed by his young attacker.
PO3 Greg Matutino and PO2 Cesar Salcedo of Molo Police Station were first in the scene after a call for help was received by PP4. Corresponding investigation led to the early arrest of the suspected assailant who was later turned-over to the Women and Children's Desk of the Iloilo City Police Office for being a minor.
The News Today (TNT) in a report gathered that motive of the attack could be Monday afternoon's incident also near IDC where the suspect and his girlfriend figured in an encounter with a group of IDC students believed to be identified with the victims.
PP4 blotter entry disclosed of a brawl that occurred as the suspect was reportedly challenged to a duel. A nearby traffic auxilliary police responded and pacified the two groups.
Radio reports heard the accounts of a coffee shop worker who saw Salinas being attacked by the 15 year-old. She initially thought the suspect only hit the victim. Panic and chaos set in within seconds the shots were fired as students nearby ran for safety.
PP4 probers continue the search for the other suspect while a tight watch was ordered on the other victim said to be in critical condition.