A 24-year-old college student is now facing a murder complaint after authorities accused him of attacking and killing a high school teacher inside a home in Bacolod City, an alleged crime that ended with the victim being made to drink muriatic acid.
Police said the 38-year-old teacher was discovered lifeless on Friday. Investigators believe the killing was set in motion when the suspect, who had reportedly gone to the victim’s residence and shared drinks with him, sought to borrow money and was turned down.
“Nangangailangan siya ng pera at humihiram sa biktima,” said Bacolod City Police Station 7 Chief PCPT. Jay-R Reyes, as reported by GMA Regional TV’s Aileen Pedreso on “24 Oras” on Monday.
Authorities described a violent scene at the location, where responding officials encountered the suspect alongside the badly injured victim. According to Barangay Alijis Chief Tanod Benedick Isidro, the suspect admitted to assaulting the teacher before forcing him to ingest the acid.
“Pagpasok, may nakita siyang taong may hinihinalang isa pang tao. Hubo’t hubad. Sunog ang [mukha]. Inamin rin niyang binugbog niya muna ito bago pinainom ng muriatic acid,” Isidro said.
The suspect made several attempts to flee before he was taken into custody, officials said. Isidro recounted how the man tried to hide and climb into the ceiling during the standoff.
“Pumasok siya sa CR. Umakyat din sa kisame. That time, wala na siyang lalabsan, hanggang sa nawasak ang kisame na meta furring,” he added.
Police stressed that the suspect, being of legal age, was fully capable of distinguishing right from wrong. The teacher’s reported refusal to hand over a loan is among the motives investigators are examining.
The accused has chosen not to give any statement regarding the allegations against him.
