LGBTQIA+ hatred kills.
A 25-year-old Deaf LGBTQIA+ person from Barangay Sambat in Tanauan City, Batangas was found lifeless on 9 August in Lipa City. Jericho “Ampaw” Castillo Ellorante was stabbed 13 times by “Paul”, 26, who alleged that the victim molested him while they were on the same tricycle, leading to the gruesome act.
Ellorante’s body was found in front of a chapel in Purok 3 in Barangay Tangway, Lipa City. According to PLTCol. Aleli Buaquen, head of the Lipa City Police Station, the law enforcers checked all CCTVs in the area, which led to the identification of the suspect.
This suspect, a cook in a local restaurant, supposedly admitted doing the crime. Though he said that it was because while they were on the same public transportation, the victim supposedly touched him indecently, even telling him to go to their house. As soon as the tricycle left, “Paul” proceeded to stabbing Ellorante.
Interviewed by the local media, Ellorante’s sister Janine did not believe the suspect’s story, saying that her sibling did not like picking up men. “(Y)ung kapatid namin yan ayaw-ayaw nya pong lolokohin sa lalaki,” she was quoted as saying. “Opo, bakla po siya, pero ayaw na ayaw po niya na dadaitan siya ng mga lalaki, galit po siya.”
The suspect is now being charged with murder before the Lipa City Prosecutor’s Office in Barangay Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas. He is now detained at the Lipa Component City Police Station.
