By Jennifer P. Rendon
The suspect in the stabbing of a barangay tanod (village watchman) was arrested in a hot pursuit operation afternoon of Nov 29, 2022 in Lambunao, Iloilo.
The suspect, 42-year-old Vincent Lego, was arrested in a barangay official’s house at Barangay Bontoc, Lambunao, the village where he also resides.
Major Jogen Suegay, Lambunao police chief, said Bontoc barangay officials led them to Lego’s location.
Lego allegedly killed Joseph Palermo, 39, a resident of Barangay Simsiman, Lambunao, in a knife attack evening of Nov 28 at Barangay Poong, Lambunao.
Palermo, who worked as a habal-habal driver, ferried a passenger to the town proper and later bought something for his three children when the incident happened.
As he was navigating Poong, a village adjacent to Simsiman, around 9:20 p.m. Monday, the suspect flagged him down.
Witness Randy Luceño said Palermo stopped and the two had a talk.
They didn’t appear to argue but Luceño claimed he was surprised when the suspect, who was reportedly drunk, suddenly attacked the victim.
He initially thought that Lego punched Palermo causing the latter to fall to the pavement.
Luceño got out of his house in a bid to pacify the fight.
Palermo was already running in Luceño’s direction and was holding on to his wounds.
Luceño later learned that Lego stabbed the victim in the chest and back.
Palermo was rushed to Dr. Ricardo L. Ladrido District Hospital in Lambunao town but was declared dead on arrival.
Suegay said Lego claimed that there was a misunderstanding between them causing him to attack the victim.
