By Jennifer P. Rendon
A policeman was fatally stabbed late on December 16 in Oton, Iloilo, during an altercation fueled by jealousy.
Staff Sergeant Erwin Calubayan, a member of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 6, succumbed to a stab wound in the stomach.
The 40-year-old Calubayan, a resident of Barangay Balabag, Dumangas, had been drinking liquor at a store owned by Donna Rose Gang in Barangay Pakiad, Oton.
On the other side of the store, Dan Garferio, a 40-year-old construction worker also from Barangay Balabag, Dumangas, was drinking with his friend, Gerald Gumban.
Both Calubayan and Garferio were romantically pursuing Gang, according to reports.
Around 11:30 p.m., Gumban left their table to buy cigarettes when Calubayan invited him for a bottle of beer.
The two conversed briefly before Calubayan finished his drink, went inside Gang’s house, and asked permission to leave.
Moments later, Garferio followed him inside.
Without provocation, Garferio stabbed Calubayan in the right side of his stomach.
Gang attempted to intervene as the two men grappled for control of the knife.
During the struggle, Calubayan managed to draw his 9mm pistol and shot Garferio, hitting him in the stomach.
Calubayan was rushed to the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, but was declared dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, Garferio was arrested in a hot pursuit operation and taken to the West Visayas State University Medical Center, where he is now under police custody.
Authorities are conducting further investigations into the incident.
