COMPOSTELA, Davao De Oro -. The family of a Criminology student, whose face was brutally attacked by unidentified individuals in Brgy. Poblacion is urgently seeking justice at 2 a.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023.
This revelation came from Jade Labiste, a close friend of the victim, Jhon Lester Alibangbang, an 18-year-old Criminology student at a private school in the town. He resides in Brgy. Naboc, Monkayo, Davao de Oro.
Labiste, in an interview with Superbalita Davao, disclosed that they were with Alibangbang, along with another friend named Denmark Ugsan, at the time of the incident. Ugsan was visiting and watching an event in Brgy. Poblacion featured a performance by a Taylor Swift impersonator named Maya Sympha.
They had not intended to leave immediately as they stopped to watch the event. Additionally, they met three members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and escorted them to the boarding house where they were staying.
As Labiste narrated, after safely dropping off their LGBT friends, they proceeded to where their motorcycle was parked. Unexpectedly, Labiste was struck from behind by three men on another motorcycle who swiftly fled the scene.
Following this unsettling incident, their friends promptly returned to their respective boarding houses, with Ugsan being the first to be dropped off at his place.
Reports indicate that upon reaching Ugsan's boarding house, Labiste escorted his friend to the gate while Alibangbang waited by the roadside with his motorcycle.
However, the same three men on a motorcycle reappeared and assaulted Labiste. The suspects, described as being in their 20s or older, wore loose clothing, with one being shirtless.
Labiste recounted that he witnessed one of the suspects wielding a stone and viciously striking Alibangbang on the head once again before they fled on their motorcycle.
Upon the arrival of an ambulance, the police were already present, along with a crowd of onlookers. Shockingly, the three suspects were still at the scene, seated on their motorcycle.
Labiste immediately informed the police and gave chase to the suspects, but unfortunately, they managed to escape.
As of the latest update, the victim remains in critical condition in the hospital, having sustained a severe head injury and a fractured skull.
The victim's relatives and family are clinging to hope that the perpetrators will be apprehended and identified, allowing them to face the consequences of their heinous crime. DTV