Bacoleño, pal killed
by cop in Pangasinan

The family of a resident of Purok Mahimulaton, Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City, who was reportedly "salvaged" with his companion by a police officer in Pangasinan province on May 8, called for justice for their deaths yesterday.

Susana Valenzuela said in an interview over ABS-CBN TV Patrol Negros, that she wants those responsible for her husband's death to be imprisoned, and for them to experience what he went through with.

Susana said that her husband, Leonardo and a certain "Santos" were picked up by the police on May 6 from their house in Sta. Rosa, Laguna because of a direct assault charge. Their bodies were found two days later.

Susana said that a certain PO1 Edilberto de la Cruz of the Laguna police allegedly brought Leonardo and in his companion to Pangasinan after their arrest and on May 8, the police informed her to identify the body of her husband in a funeral parlor.

Leonardo reportedly sustained four gunshot wounds while "Santos" had multiple bullet wounds.

Susana said that the persons who filed the complaint against her husband may have ordered the killing because they were not contented with the way the case was handled.

"I want (them) to experience whatever (they) did to my husband," Susana said in the vernacular, adding that Leonardo was the only one who provided for her and their five children.

De la Cruz is reportedly wanted for the killing of Leonardo and his companion.*PP

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IN STABBING
Man claims 'self-defense'

A man who admitted to the fatal stabbing of a Bacoleño Sunday said yesterday that he just "defended himself" against the victim.

Rico Aguado, 36, told the DAILY STAR yesterday that he repeatedly stabbed Francis Mangaya with two stainless kitchen knives to save his life "because he attacked me first."

"I know that he wanted to take my life so I decided to take his," Aguado said at the Police Station 3 yesterday.

Police records showed that Mangaya, 27, tried to pacify an argument between his wife, Roxane, and Aguado who allegedly stabbed him instead, at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday in Purok Katilingban, Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City.

Aguado was rushed to the Riverside Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival by attending physician Regelle Modenes at about 1:05 a.m. Sunday, cause of death was multiple stab wounds, police records also showed.

At about 3:20 a.m. on the same day, officers and barangay officials, in a follow-up operation led by SPO3 Lope Bedia, arrested Aguado in his cousin's house in Purok Katilingban.

Aguado, however, said that he was on his way home from a benefit dance in the purok when Mangaya, whom he did not personally know, waylaid and attacked him with a knife without any provocation.

He said Mangaya, cornered him in a dark area and hit him in the stomach, prompting him to fight back.

Aguado said he grabbed the weapon of Mangaya, took his own knife from his waistband, and stabbed him repeatedly until the victim staggered to the ground.

"I don't know how many times I hit him but I just stabbed him repeatedly when I got hold of his knife. Then I pushed and stabbed him again because he might fight back," Aguado said.

Mangaya's family said that they will file charges against Aguado today.*PP

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