BY: ANGELICA ARQUERO
A 32-year-old man was stabbed to death in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, after demanding payment for a basketball bet.
The victim, Clifford Bacal, was allegedly attacked by the father of his opponent after a game in Barangay Tallang on the night of March 7.
CCTV footage showed a couple arriving at the barangay hall on a motorcycle. The woman was seen holding a metal club as they waited for someone. Moments later, Bacal and a friend were walking toward them when they were suddenly attacked. The stabbing, however, was not captured on camera.
According to police, the altercation started after the suspect’s son refused to pay Bacal the agreed betting amount. The dispute was brought to the barangay hall for mediation, but tensions escalated.
“After the basketball game, the suspect’s son did not honor the agreed payment, which led to a commotion. They went to the barangay hall to settle the issue, but things turned violent,” said San Carlos City police chief Lt. Col. Eleazar Edolmo.
Edolmo added that the suspect, identified as 55-year-old Villamil Ulumil, allegedly lost his temper and stabbed Bacal multiple times in the abdomen. The suspect and his wife then fled on a motorcycle.
Bacal was rushed to Virgin Milagrosa Medical Center but was pronounced dead on arrival.
His family is calling for justice.
“My brother was a kind, caring person. He had no enemies. We want justice for him,” said Bacal’s sister, Princess Maestro.
Police visited the suspect’s home but found that he had already fled. Investigators are now tracking his whereabouts.
Authorities are urging the suspect to surrender and face murder charges.
