Ex-barber mauled, stabbed dead over ‘candy shabu’

A former barber was mauled and stabbed to death by five unidentified men at Barangay 11, Bacolod City Friday. (Photo courtesy of Police Station 1)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Personnel of Police Station 1 already have five persons of interest linked in the killing of a man here last Friday all because of “candy shabu.”

Richard Cahutay, 49, who was temporarily residing in Barangay 11 here, was reportedly attacked by five unidentified men at the said village while on his way home.

Citing the victim’s live-in-partner, Police Major Ramel Sarona, head of Police Station 1, said Cahutay was looking for a certain “Ewok” last Thursday, after he was allegedly given candy instead of shabu he reportedly bought from Ewok last Wednesday.

When he failed to meet Ewok that day, he returned the following day at the latter’s house twice until he found him later that day, Sarona said.

Cahutay then confronted Ewok, but the latter denied the allegations until a heated argument ensued between them.

Residents pacified the duo, prompting the victim to go home.

But Cahutay did not know that Ewok’s companions were waiting for him to pass by the area on his way home.

Sarona said that Ewok’s companions allegedly mauled Cahutay, while Ewok allegedly stabbed the victim in the chest and left arm with a knife, which caused his immediate death.

The suspects are still at large, but Sarona said that one of the persons of interest is a drug surrenderer who recently surfaced to the police.

Sarona said they are looking into drug-related and grudges, considering the cause of their misunderstanding.