Mental patient stabs guard

CEBU, Philippines - A security guard is now in critical condition after he was allegedly stabbed by a patient of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center-Center for Behavioral Sciences past 3 p.m. yesterday.

Jonathan Flordelez, 47, of Sitio All Seasons, Barangay Cogon Pardo, was brought to the trauma unit after he was stabbed in his back by a 28-year-old patient.

Investigation revealed the victim was busy securing the gate, when the patient stabbed him in the back with a knife. The police said the blade might have penetrated the victim’s heart.

Chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu, Fuente Police Station chief, said that the personnel of the hospital brought the suspect to the Fuente Police Station after the incident.

He added it was reported the patient was not restrained and was allowed to walk because he was considered harmless.

“Ang suspect under observation gipalakaw-lakaw sa area kay harmless, nakakuha og kutsilyo, gidunggab ang gwardya,” Tiu said.

VSMMC Behavioral Sciences chief Dr. Rene Obra said that there were two guards yesterday afternoon but the victim was busy checking persons at the gate.

He added that hospital staff saw the patient bump into him but did not think much about it until they saw the knife stuck in his back.

Tiu said they will investigate how the patient managed to get a knife. He added that the security in the hospital should be tight considering that not even police personnel are allowed to come inside on police business. 

Tiu said that the patient was brought to the police station after the incident and is now under detention.

 “Mismo ang doctor naay assessment, ang among buhaton temporary detention lang. Ang ako og maghikog, ibalik lang gihapon namo ni nila,” Tiu added.

Obra said the patients of the center are now staying at the lobby after their building was destroyed by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake.

He said that he requested for a metal detector for the guards but until now there has been no action.

“Maayo gani kutsilyo ra ang nakalighot how much more kung pusil na? Risky kaayo ang trabaho sa gwardya ug sa mga staff ug mga estudyante,” he added.

He assured that the victim will received financial assistance from the hospital and that he himself will also contribute and encouraged fellow hospital staff to do the same.   (FREEMAN)