ORMOC CITY– A night of casual drinking ended in tragedy when a heated altercation between two drinking buddies led to a fatal stabbing early Sunday morning, May 25, in Barangay Pagsulhugon, Babatngon, Leyte.

The victim, identified by police as alias “Marvs,” 24, a single ice cream vendor and resident of Barangay Lukay, was stabbed in the chest following a verbal dispute. The suspect, alias “Ric,” 19, single and unemployed, is a resident of Barangay Naga-Asan, also in Babatngon.
According to the initial investigation by the Babatngon Municipal Police Station, the incident occurred around 1:30 am while the group was having a drinking session in front of Felesa Agullon’s store. The argument between the two escalated quickly, prompting the suspect to draw a knife and stab the victim.

Friends at the scene rushed the wounded “Marvs” to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in Tacloban City. However, he was declared dead on arrival by his attending physician.

The suspect later voluntarily surrendered to Babatngon police. The knife used in the stabbing was not recovered as of this report. He remains in police custody pending further investigation and the filing of appropriate charges.

(ROBERT DEJON)