Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Ongchuan said in a statement Monday, June 14, the retired official was living peacefully in his retirement home when stabbed by an attacker.
“We hope that justice be served to a peace-loving and faithful public servant,” he added.
Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza, in a separate statement, also condemned the ruthless killing of Delorino who served as the president of the biggest tertiary school in the province from 2016 to 2019.
“The province has lost one of the great leaders and educators, on the sands of time, you have left your footprints with glory. You will always be remembered for serving the UEP and the academe,” he said.
Police Col. Arnel Apud, Northern Samar provincial police chief, said Delorino was found bathing in his own blood by his daughter at their residence in Dalakit, Catarman, Northern Samar at 5:45 a.m. Sunday.
After a few hours, policemen arrested a suspect, Alvin Plandez, a 22-year-old construction worker.
Apud said the suspect was identified through CCTV footage. He was wearing the same clothes and carrying the murder weapon, a medium-length sharp-bladed knife when arrested by policemen. He reportedly returned to the crime scene to check the victim’s status.
The suspect claimed the New People’s Army (NPA) would kill his family if he would not kill the retired university president. Apud said they are still validating the claim of the suspect who is now under their custody.