1 month ago
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CEBU CITY — A man who claimed to be under demonic possession attacked a resident with a machete in Barangay Kalunasan on Jan. 23, 2025.
Ricardo Rebunza Lawas, 40, was apprehended by the Guadalupe Police Station and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team after he suddenly assaulted Roderick Alegre Tarona, 45, with a large single-edged knife while Tarona sat outside a store with friends in Sitio Lokana.
Lawas later said that he had no recollection of the violent outburst and believed a demon had taken control of him. He described hearing whispers from an unseen entity that urged him to attack Tarona.
Lawas insisted that it manipulated his actions.
He explained that he had been asleep before the attack. When he woke up, he was startled by what he saw. Lawas believed his mind was controlled by an evil spirit.
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At around 1:16 a.m., the police received a report of the attack.
Officers found Tarona injured, with severe cuts on his face and fingers, and brought him to Cebu City Medical Center for treatment.
Lawas was arrested at around 3:20 a.m. and his bolo was confiscated as evidence.
Neighbors of the suspect revealed that Lawas had used drugs the day before the incident.
Authorities have filed charges of frustrated homicide against him. Investigations continue to explore the possible influence of drugs.
