A MEMBER of the LGBTQ community and recent winner of a traswoman beauty pageant was stabbed to death in Lipa, Batangas by a man she had just met at a drinking session.
Police identified the victim as Jericho Ellorante, 25, of Brgy. Sambat, Tanauan, Batangas. He suffered 13 wounds to the body and was found lifeless Saturday morning.
The suspect was arrested after the incident and admitted to the killing. He said he got angry after Ellorante, who was deaf, allegedly touched him inappropriately while they were riding a tricycle.
The suspect claimed they were not acquainted prior to that night, but said he invited Ellorante to his barangay in Lipa. The stabbing happened after the tricycle drove off.
A CCTV footage showed Ellorante alighting from a tricycle with the suspect before the fatal attack. The suspect was later seen returning to the victim’s body to allegedly take his wallet.
Ellorante’s family rejected the harassment claim, suspecting robbery was the real motive.
Police said Ellorante had joined a drinking session with other members of the deaf community, where he first met the suspect.
It was possible, they added, that the suspect lured him into leaving with him and boarding the tricycle. He is facing murder charges.