By Jennifer P. Rendon
A dispute over a missing PHP500 led to the fatal stabbing of a security guard at a dressing plant in Barangay Nabitasan, Leganes, Iloilo on the evening of November 23.
Police said the incident occurred around 6:50 p.m. at the guardhouse of J and J Dressing Plant.
The victim, identified as 36-year-old Joven Porcado of Barangay Tamboilan, Dumangas, was on duty when the stabbing happened.
R-June Pandes, 21, a staff member at the plant and a resident of Quiazan Florete, Batad, repeatedly stabbed Porcado.
CCTV footage revealed no confrontation before the attack.
Porcado sustained two stab wounds to his chest and four to his back.
Female co-workers tried to intervene, but Pandes continued the assault.
Porcado was rushed to Metro Iloilo Medical Hospital and Medical Center in Jaro, Iloilo City, but succumbed to his injuries.
The victim was unable to defend himself as a co-worker, 30-year-old Leomar Emotin of Barangay Bariga, Banate, disarmed him at Pandes’ instruction.
After the incident, both suspects retreated to their barracks and surrendered to responding police officers.
Police recovered a blood-stained kitchen knife from the crime scene, while Emotin turned over another knife to authorities.
Master Sergeant Emmanuel Maude, a Leganes police investigator, said an earlier confrontation about the missing money likely escalated into the stabbing.
Porcado had reportedly accused Pandes of taking PHP500 he had left on his desk to pay for a parcel.
Witnesses alleged that Pandes had taken the money, but he denied the accusation during a heated argument with the victim.
Both suspects are now detained as police prepare to file charges against them.
