Manhunt on for faith healer in Ifugao drinking spree slay

By Mar T. Supnad

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao - A faith healer is now being hunted by police after stabbing to death one person and seriously injuring two others during a drinking spree last week.

Eden Picha of Sitio Nambasal, Barangay Kiling, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao was mauled to death by Ricky Palingit, a Pentecostal faith healer, police said.

Also seriously wounded was Julius Ogasna after he was also strangled by Paling it who is now the subject of police manhunt.

Supt. Leon Talleo, regional police spokesman rbased in Camp Dangwa, Bengut said, the victims together with Robert Hidjum Ambuyao,Johnny Inablan Balliti and Ruben Chammag Buhungan were having a drinking spree at the house of Johnny Balliti when the suspect arrived blaming the victims of poisoning his fishpond and stealing his tilapia and kalabab/borasi.

The suspect however, joined in the drinking session. Buhungan went to buy two bottles of gin and when he returned with the two bottles the suspect took it and opened it and uttered let’s have a contest in consuming those gin.

Afterwards the suspect suddenly accused Munchangi and one Julius Manodchom.

The suspect then strangled Manodchom and hit him twice on his nape and right hand with the use of a piece of wood that prompted Picha and Balliti to help the victim but Picha was hit by the suspect many times on his head causing the victim to slump to the ground unconscious.

Talleo said the following day, Picha died of internal hemorrhage inside the house of Balliti.

As of press time, manhunt operation was still being conducted against the suspect, while a case was ready for referral at the Prosecutor’s Office, in Lagawe, Ifugao.