Man stabbed dead over missing chicken

CEBU, Philippines - A tuba (coconut toddy) gatherer in Alcoy suspected of stealing his neighbor’s chicken died on the spot after he was stabbed by the owner of the missing animal the other day.

The 58-year-old victim was identified as Rodulfo Cabillon alias “Rudy Hubo”, a resident of sitio Kampirong in barangay Pasol of the said town where the incident happened.

Police officers in Alcoy said that Cabillon was stabbed in the shoulder at past 7 a.m. last Friday by his 70-year-old neighbor Victor Jimenez, allegedly an ex-convict.

Initial investigation conducted by Insp. Wilfredo Tautoan, chief of the Alcoy Police Station, revealed that the victim and the suspect had a heated argument prior to the incident.

Cabillon was reportedly inside his nipa hut when the suspect started confronting him regarding the lost chicken believed stolen by the victim. But Cabillon denied having taken or hidden the animal, which then led to a verbal tussle.

In rage, Jimenez reportedly pulled out a kitchen knife and attacked Cabillon.

The suspect fled after the incident but policemen collared him afterwards during a follow-up operation.

Recovered from the crime scene were bloodstained items like a pair of short pants, a T-shirt, and a pair of slippers.

PO3 Eduardo Santander, desk officer of the Alcoy Police Station, said Jimenez later on admitted to him that he indeed stabbed Cabillon but only to teach him a lesson.

Further, it was learned from Santander that Cabillon had been implicated in other theft cases.

“Duna nay kasong pagpangawat ang biktima diri sa among lugar. Nabalhog na pod ni siya sa karsel sa Alcoy tungod gihapon sa kasong pagpangawat. Duna pa gyoy tabi-tabi sa mga silingan nga duna niy susamang kaso sa Cebu City sa wala pa mopuyo diri sa Alcoy,” Santander said. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/MEEV