A 28-year-old man turned himself in to authorities hours after he stabbed his live-in partner to death in Barangay Pinamanculan, Butuan City.

The victim sustained five stab wounds and did not reach the hospital alive.

According to the victim’s neighbor and cousin, the couple figured in an altercation prior to the incident.

“Paminaw namo, normal lang to nga away kay pirmi man na sila mag-away, wa mi kabalo nga dunggab na diay to,” victim’s cousin, Cheryl Enero, said.

Jealousy is eyed as possible motive.

“Mao lagi to, away-away nila, selos-selos, naa pud to’y sundang, ug naa pud to’y sundang gi-embargo,” Enero added.

Operatives recovered a lighter and an empty sachet of suspected shabu inside the house.

The suspect fled after the incident, but he surrendered after several hours for fear of his safety.

“Gusto ni siya mo-surrender kay nahadlok pud siya sa iyang kinabuhi kay nakadungog pud siya’g mga istorya ani nga ang mga paryente atong babae, is pangitaon siya kay balsan siya, kung makit-an siya, patyon siya og una,” Butuan City Police Office Station 3 Deputy Station Commander, Lt. Jude Alvizo, said.

The suspect said he reportedly stabbed the victim after the latter reportedly hit him.

“Nahinaykan gyud nako, pagkaigo sa akong ulo… mao tong pagkaigo nako, nalipong ko gamay, unya mingitngit akong panan-aw ato ug wa nako napugngan ba,” the suspect said.

The suspect is facing murder charges.