Suspect in Lanao del Norte attacks dies after truck hits him

ILIGAN CITY — A man suspected of killing a woman and wounding three others in separate incidents in Lala, Lanao del Norte, died after he was allegedly hit by a truck while crossing a road, police said.

A police report identified the suspect as Mario Polinar, married, a resident of Purok 4A, Barangay Cabasagan in Lala town.

At around 10 p.m. on Sunday, Polinar allegedly killed Rose Cahuba, a resident of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, by hitting her with a piece of hardwood in Barangay Cabasagan. Her live-in partner, Julio Pantoñal, 64, was injured in the attack.

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Initial police investigation showed the victims were walking from their hut toward a disco party when Polinar allegedly attacked them.

Pantoñal was reportedly hit with a piece of wood and ran to seek help, leaving Cahuba behind. When he returned with members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team, they found Cahuba lifeless in a canal beside a waiting shed in a rice field.

Before dawn on Monday, Polinar also allegedly attacked Rosalinda Manulat, 41, and Jenny Manulat, 20, using a piece of hardwood.

The two injured women were taken to the Baroy Provincial Hospital for treatment.

Police said they received a phone call from a concerned citizen about a road crash involving a truck and a pedestrian, who was identified as Polinar.

Initial investigation showed that the truck was traveling from Kapatagan toward Tubod, Lanao del Norte when it hit Polinar, who allegedly crossed the road.

Polinar was brought to the Kapatagan Provincial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The truck driver voluntarily surrendered and was detained at the Lala police station.

Police are still investigating the complete circumstances surrounding the incidents./coa