2 teens tagged in Bacolod doc's slay

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  – A prominent physician here was brutally killed at his residence allegedly by two teenagers, one of whom he met on the social networking site Facebook.

Andres Gumban, 63, a pulmonologist, was found dead at his residence in Regent Pearl Subdivision in Barangay Alijis at around 10:45 p.m. Thursday, Bacolod City police director Senior Superintendent Ricardo de la Paz said.

Gumban, who owned several businesses in this city, suffered multiple stab wounds in the neck, chest and stomach and was found in a fetal position in his bathroom.

De la Paz identified the two suspects as Fof Pascual Jr., 18, a resident of Barangay Tadlong, Sagay City and a 16-year-old resident of Barangay Magsaysay, Cadiz City.

De la Paz said initial investigation showed that Gumban and the 16-year-old became friends on Facebook last March and met last week.  

He said the minor, who had previously gone to the doctor’s house, brought Pascual last Thursday.

The minor claimed he was taking a bath when Gumban, allegedly armed with a kitchen knife, tried to molest him. He said he stabbed the doctor in self-defense. 

Pascual, for his part, said he was watching the television when the incident happened. 

A personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, who is a neighbor of Gumban, said he heard a commotion at Gumban’s house and saw the two suspects, who would not let him in, when he went to the victim’s house. He said he kicked the door open when he saw bloodstains and arrested the suspects.

De la Paz said they are looking at robbery as the motive of the crime, which was not carried out after the neighbors heard a commotion and entered the victim’s house.