Authorities have launched a manhunt against one of two suspects who hit with a trophy a fourth year Political Science major student of the University of the Philippines at the UP Diliman Student Council office Wednesday afternoon.

The victim, identified as Lordei Camille Hina, 20, of 20 Alsen St., North Fairview Park, is still in critical condition at the surgical intensive care unit of Capitol Medical Center (CMC).

One of her attackers, identified as Carlo Pecayo, 35, of Lot 10, Block-37, Phase 2, C-3 Kaalinsabay Road, Karangalan Village, Pasig City, was arrested and detained at the Quezon City Police District Station 9. His alleged cohort, Dante Santos, of Antipolo City, remains at large.

In a report published at the Philippine Collegian, the official student publication of UP Diliman, the incident happened at around 3:30 p.m.

The victim was reportedly the secretary-general of UP student organization Center for Nationalist Studies (CNS). She and a fellow CNS member, who requested anonymity, said they were at the USC office at around 12 p.m. doing some paperworks when Pecayo and Santos arrived and introduced themselves as members of an organization of tattoo artists. The two said they would like to apply for a booth for their organization in the upcoming UP Fair.

After Hina and her friend gave Pecayo and Santos the phone number of the USC’s officer-in-charge for UP Fair booths, the two men left. At around 2 p.m., however, Pecayo returned but said he would just wait outside the office for the USC’s officer-in-charge whom he said he had already contacted.

Hina’s friend went downstairs to buy food at around 2:30 p.m., leaving Hina alone.

At around 3 p.m., Hina’s friend received text messages from Hina, saying Pecayo was in the USC office again, asking questions.  

At around 3:30 p.m., Hina’s friend returned to the office. Hina, however, was not answering and the office was locked.            

“Akala ko nakatulog lang kaya hindi sumasagot. Bumaba ako para magtanong kung may nakakita sa kanya. Tapos humiram ako ng susi sa [isang member ng] USC,” she said.

When she was able to get inside the office, she saw Hina sprawled on the floor, her face and upper body drenched in blood.

Hina’s friend and other students helped in bringing Hina to the UP Health Service.

According to Vinzons Hall security guard Gerry Docto, he saw Pecayo leaving Vinzons Hall at around 3:15 p.m., carrying a backpack. “Wala naman siyang dala nu’ng umakyat kaya sinita ko siya,” Docto said.

When Docto asked to inspect the backpack, Pecayo ran away and hailed a taxi. Docto took down its license plate and reported it to the UPDP. Roving guards intercepted the cab in front of Asian Center.

According to UPD chief security officer Elvin Ebreo, Pecayo’s mobile phone is already in police custody to serve as a means of tracking down the suspect’s two other accomplices.

Meanwhile, UP has stepped up its security measures in the campus, especially at Vinzons Hall.

The victim’s bag, two laptops, and an ice pick was recovered from Pecayo who faces charges of robbery and frustrated homicide.