Tragic Stabbing Incident Rocks Argao Community
A peaceful evening in Sitio Lower Barangay Alambijud, Argao turned deadly on Thursday, November 13, 2025, when a good Samaritan act ended in tragedy. What began as an attempt to help a relative in distress culminated in a violent attack that claimed one life and left another person seriously injured.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The violence erupted at approximately 8:30 PM when Melchor Manila Embudo, 43, a married resident of the area, fell from his motorcycle. Coming to his assistance were his cousin Richard Tatardillo, 33, and Rosario Villafuerte, 32, from Barangay Taloot in the same municipality.
According to Police Staff Sgt. Robinson Cornito, the investigating officer from Argao Police Station, the situation took a dark turn without warning. "The victims were helping the suspect after his motorcycle accident when suddenly, without any apparent reason, Embudo stabbed Tatardillo in the abdomen," Cornito revealed.
The attack proved immediately fatal for Tatardillo, who bled to death on the spot and was declared dead on arrival when medical personnel reached the scene. The assailant then turned his weapon on Villafuerte, stabbing him multiple times in the abdomen and other parts of his body.
Aftermath and Investigation
Following the violent outburst, Embudo reportedly returned calmly to his home nearby. Police officers later apprehended him without resistance when they arrived at his residence.
Police Staff Sgt. Cornito expressed confusion about the motive behind the attack, noting that the suspect claimed no prior argument or disagreement had occurred between him and the victims. However, investigators discovered that Embudo had been drinking wine prior to the incident.
"Witnesses told us that before the crime occurred, the suspect had been circling the victims with his motorcycle," Cornito added, suggesting there might have been some premeditation or building tension that the suspect hasn't fully disclosed.
Despite the lack of a clear motive and the suspect's claims of no previous conflict, authorities have filed murder charges against Melchor Manila Embudo. The case continues to undergo investigation as police work to uncover what triggered the sudden violent outburst that turned a family relationship deadly.
