A 31-year-old patient, known to be a drug user, stabbed and killed a 51-year-old nurse at a private hospital in Tagbilaran City on Wednesday, police said.
According to Lt. Col. John Kareen Escober, chief of the Tagbilaran City Police Station, the suspect, identified as Marlito Cardines Linguis, was admitted at the Bohol Doctors Hospital due to digestive trouble.
However, he turned violent and stabbed the nurse, Marjorie Abuyen Visarra, multiple times using a pair of scissors.
Escober said that the suspect, a resident of Barangay Magsaysay in Sevilla, Bohol, was a drug surrenderer in 2016.
He was among several patients from Sevilla who were admitted at the hospital due to food poisoning.
The police chief said that the suspect was motivated to kill the nurse after she allegedly said something that he took offense to.
“The suspect was offended by the nurse’s words and stabbed her multiple times, causing her death,” Escober said.
A utility worker, Francis Justiniare Añora, 21, tried to stop the suspect but was also stabbed and injured.
He managed to seek help from the security guards, and the police were alerted about the incident.
The suspect was taken into custody and is currently being held at the police station’s custodial facility. He is expected to face murder charges.
The hospital management, expressing deep sorrow and calling for an investigation, has released a statement condemning the incident, and the Philippine Nurses Association-Bohol chapter has also expressed support for the victim’s family.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the tragic loss of our nurse, whose passing resulted from an incident involving a patient,” the hospital said in a statement.
“At Bohol Doctors Hospital, we consider our staff members part of our extended family, and this tragedy has deeply impacted us all.”
The hospital expressed its commitment to safety and announced it would conduct a thorough investigation.
“As an organization committed to the highest standards of care and safety, we are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident,” the statement read.
Officials also emphasized their cooperation with law enforcement, stating, “We work closely with law enforcement and relevant authorities to ensure a comprehensive review.”
The incident has sent shockwaves to the entire healthcare community in the country, something that was never heard of.
“This unforeseen tragedy has deeply affected our community at CDG Bohol Doctors Hospital,” the statement noted.
Hospital administrators announced plans to provide support for staff and patients affected by the tragedy.
“We will also be providing counseling for the affected hospital staff and patients,” they said.
As the investigation continues, the hospital has requested privacy for the victim’s family and the institution.
“We kindly request privacy for her family and our hospital as we face this challenging moment together,” the statement concluded.