Man shot dead after killing 4 in Manila

Veteran journalist among fatalities of knife rampage at condominium complex

Five people died, while four others were wounded, after a man went on a stabbing rampage inside a shared apartment in Metro Manila on Tuesday evening.

Thirty-six year-old suspect Robert Garan was having an argument with his live-in partner Emelyn Sagun, 30, when he exploded in a fit of rage and killed her and several others — including a veteran journalist.

According to National Capital Region Police Office Director, Oscar Albayalde, Garan stabbed Sagun before pushing her off the stairwell, causing her to plunge several flights from the 16th floor, to the basement of the Central Park Tower Condominium in Pasay City.

After killing his partner, Garan turned his attention to a 12-year-old girl, Desiree Castillo. He repeatedly stabbed the girl, leading to her death, Albayalde said.

The police official incident started at 6.30pm on Tuesday.

Also attacked was Joel Palacios, a 70-year-old journalist who had written for foreign as well as local news outfits, and his common law wife Belcris Elorde. The couple were living in an apartment unit in the same complex.

Belcris survived but Palacios died from stab wounds.

The other two killed in the incident were Ligaya Dimapilis and Leticia Ecsiargan while those injured include April Joy Sagarino, Arlyn Dian Cordero at Margie Morales.

Responding police commandos of the Pasay City Special Weapons and Tactics unit shot to death Garan several hours after the incident started.

Colleagues mourned the death of Palacios, an amiable person who they said was always willing to help others. said the around