ORMOC CITY— A drinking session in Sitio Tamburusan, Barangay Dalakit, Catarman, Northern Samar turned deadly early Sunday morning, March 1, when a construction worker was fatally stabbed following an altercation during a drinking spree.
The victim, alias “Rodney,” 39, single, a construction worker and resident of Brgy. Dalakit, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the suspect, alias “Joseph,” 24, a laborer with a live-in partner from the same barangay, voluntarily surrendered to police shortly after the incident.
According to initial investigation by Catarman police, the incident unfolded around 2:30 a.m. when Rodney joined a drinking session with Joseph and another companion, identified only as “Jose.” A dispute erupted after Rodney allegedly attacked Jose, prompting a scuffle.
Police said Rodney then brandished a knife, locally known as a “dipang,” to threaten the group. Joseph tried to calm him down, but the altercation escalated. During the struggle, Joseph managed to wrestle the knife from Rodney and, in the ensuing confrontation, stabbed him multiple times in the left abdomen, causing instantaneous death.
The weapon used in the stabbing was recovered by authorities, and Joseph remains in custody at Catarman Municipal Police Station pending proper legal disposition.
Police continue to investigate the incident and are treating it as a case of homicide arising from an alcohol-fueled dispute.
(ROBERT DEJON)
