By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – In a grim development, the suspect in the murder of a 14-year-old girl in Brgy. Poblacion Sur, Ivisan, Capiz, was apprehended on the morning of February 23.
The teenage victim, Angel de Jose of Poblacion Norte, Ivisan, was fatally stabbed on Thursday night, February 21.
The suspect, Louie Lipalim, of legal age and originally from Lambunao, Iloilo, was taken to Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital after he reportedly consumed poison.
Saldo Aragon alerted the Ivisan Police to Lipalim’s location following the suspect’s request to surrender himself after committing the crime.
The young victim succumbed to a lethal stab wound on the left side of her body, with the knife discovered still embedded in her. After the incident, Lipalim fled the scene in haste.
Police investigations revealed that on the night before the incident, the victim was at the suspect’s residence.
Lipalim, amidst a drinking session with friends, sent the victim to buy cigarettes. Shortly after his friends departed and Lipalim and the girl were alone, the crime occurred.
Lorena De Jose, the victim’s grandmother, disclosed that Angel had been living with her for around three years, as her mother resides in Manila and her father in Brgy. Ondoy, Ivisan. She noted that her granddaughter had a history of theft.
Further inquiries uncovered that the victim allegedly stole P500 from Lipalim before the incident, which may have led to the fatal confrontation.
Jet Villanueva, who had offered shelter to Lipalim due to his reputation as a reliable farmhand, expressed shock at the events.
The police are continuing their investigation to ascertain the motive behind this heinous act.
