MPD launches search for mentally ill man tagged in stabbing

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District (MPD) is searching for a former casino dealer, reported to be mentally ill, who stabbed dead a person he met in an alley in Sampaloc, Manila Thursday night.

MPD homicide division deputy chief Senior Inspector Maying de la Cruz warned that Dionisio Jose, 58, is dangerous and could attack anyone without any apparent reason.

He said Jose was walking down the alley at around 10 p.m. when he came across Francis Paul Alarcon, 30, and started hitting him.

Jose then pulled out a knife and repeatedly stabbed Alarcon before fleeing. Witnesses brought Alarcon to the Ospital ng Sampaloc but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

De la Cruz said police officers found medical records and medicine in Jose’s house, confirming a witness’ claim that Jose was a former “mental patient.”

De la Cruz said Jose had stabbed another person in the past but avoided jail because of his illness. He said police are scouring places in Manila where scavengers frequent because they have information that the suspect have been seen several times mingling with them.