Manila Bulletin

Ex-journalist, 3 others killed in knife attack

- By AARON RECUENCO

The Philippine National Police -National Capital Region Police Office (PNP-NCRPO) has spotted some security lapses in a Pasay City condominiu­m that made it easy for a knifewield­ing man to go on a stabbing spree and kill four building tenants Tuesday night.

The fatalities include 70-year-old Joel Palacios, a veteran journalist who also worked as informatio­n officer of the Social Security System.

He was a resident of Central Park 2 condominiu­m in Pasay City where the incident occurred.

The three other fatalities were identified as Ligaya Dimapilis, 36; Leticia Ecsiagan, 50; and 12-year-old Daisery Castillo.

Injured were Belcris Elorde, April Joy Sagarino, Arlyn Cordero and Margie Morales, who were all listed in stable condition.

NCRPO chief Director Oscar Albayalde said the police’s Supervisor­y Office for Security and Investigat­ion Agencies (SOSIA) is now conducting investigat­ion to identify the lapses and possible sanctions on the security agency contracted to secure the condominiu­m.

“First of all, there was no security guard in the CCTV (closedcirc­uit television) monitoring area and they admitted it. So they have no idea of what was happening,” said Albayalde.

At around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Alberto Garan figured in a heated argument with his alleged girlfriend Emely Sagun inside one of the condominiu­m units where the latter’s sister was staying.

Garan left the condominiu­m unit and returned with a knife and .38 revolver and tried to shoot Sagun but the gun reportedly jammed.

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