A 40-year-old man from Cebu City, who claimed to have been influenced by an evil spirit, suddenly hacked a bystander with a bolo and was arrested shorty after on Thursday (Jan 23, 2025). - Photo contributed by Paul Lauro
CEBU CITY, (Philippines): A 40-year-old man landed in prison for allegedly going amok and hacking a man in Lokana, Brgy. Kalunasan, Cebu City on early Thursday (Jan 23) morning.
The suspect of the Cebu City hacking then claimed that an evil spirit was whispering in his ear to attack someone with his bolo (single-edged knife similar to a machete).
The suspect was identified as Ricardo Rebunza Lawas, 40, a resident of Lower Kamparang, Brgy. Kalunasan.
Lawas is accused of hacking the victim, Roderick Alegre Tarona, 45, who is a resident of Upper Kalunasan in Cebu City.
Police, in a report, revealed that the victim of the Cebu City hacking was sitting with his two companions outside of a store when the suspect arrived armed with a bolo.
Lawas then allegedly assaulted the victim with his weapon which resulted to Tarona sustaining injuries on his face and left fingers.
At around 1.18am, personnel of the Guadalupe Police Station arrived in the area after receiving a call from a Barangay Public Security Officer (BPSO).
Tarona was transported to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) for immediate medical intervention.
Responding officers then arrested Lawas at around 3.20am and confiscated the bolo as evidence.
He was brought to the custodial facility of the Guadalupe Police Station, where he is detained as of this writing.
In an interview with media, the suspect claimed that he had no recollection of the crime.
Lawas added that a voice, which he claimed to be of a demon, manipulated him into attacking the victim out of nowhere.
Charges of frustrated murder are now being readied against the suspect, of the Cebu City hacking according to police. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
