THOMAS Woodruff, 24, wanted to completely rid himself of drug addiction when he decided to join substance abuse counselor Ervyn Ian Enilo in a new facility that Enilo just set up in Barangay Cansojong, Talisay City.
Woodruff was almost two years sober from illegal drug use when he and Enilo were murdered inside the aftercare facility Tuesday night.
Archie Abastillas, one of Enilo’s patients, committed suicide after he hacked to death his housemates Woodruff and Enilo.
Another housemate, Lyndon Carpiso, is seriously injured.
Louise Nicole Woodruff-Fernandez, Woodruff’s older sister, said she last saw her brother at the aftercare facility last Friday.
Fernandez, in an interview, said her brother only wanted to help Enilo in putting up a drug aftercare facility so he could share his experiences and help other recovering drug addicts.
Fernandez said she knew Enilo when he served as substance abuse counselor in a private drug rehabilitation center in Talisay.
Woodruff was originally a client of Enilo’s previous employer.
Even though they were not close, she knew that her brother was serious in getting rid of his addiction and helping others.
She said her brother started using illegal drugs while he was still in high school.
Fernandez said she and her sibling never got along, partly because of his vice.
She said that her younger brother’s illegal drug use affected his attitude, which prompted her to ask her mother to get Woodruff undergo rehabilitation.
Woodruff then underwent rehabilitation at the Department of Health (DOH) Treatment and Rehabilitation Facility in Barangay Candabong in Argao as it was nearest to their place.
Fernandez said her brother completed the program and immediately underwent an aftercare program in a private facility where he met Enilo.
She noticed that her brother became better under Enilo’s care.
When Enilo informed her that he was leaving his old work behind, Woodruff became anxious.
She was then told by Enilo that he wanted to bring Woodruff with him and establish a drug aftercare facility on his own.
Afraid that her brother will have a relapse, Fernandez allowed Woodruff to stay with Enilo, a decision she regretted.
On the other hand, Abastillas’ older sister couldn’t believe that he would be responsible behind the brutal attack. She said her brother would not physically hurt anyone.
“Dili ko katoo nga mabuhat na niya kay akong manghud dili manghilabot. Dili man na siya manapat o mangunsa,” said Klio Abastillas-Lariosa.
Lariosa said she had brought her brother to a government facility as he was reportedly suffering from anxiety disorder and depression, which aggravated when he started using illegal drugs.
She said her brother had told her he wanted to undergo rehabilitation as he wanted to be surrounded by people with whom he could share his sentiments.
Abastillas even thanked her for supporting his decision.