Man mauled, stabbed dead in Kasambagan

A man was mauled and stabbed to death by what was believed to be a group of gangsters whom he and his younger brother reportedly had an earlier clash during a benefit dance in sitio Univille, barangay Kasambagan, this city yesterday dawn.

Responding tanods of sitio Baca, barangay Apas said they found the body of one Michael Duaban, 25, single, a resident of sitio Univille sprawled on the road. They said the victim's body sustained multiple stab wounds and his head bore severe injuries.

Later on, two witnesses said that a group of men were chasing Duaban. Minutes later, they found him dead.

Barangay tanods who arrived at the crime scene immediately sought the assistance of the Mabolo Police, the Mobile Patrol Group and the Special Weapons and Tactics team as there were reports that the suspects sought refuge at the house of one Terencio Lucanias.

In an operation, police arrested four suspects identified as Benjee Pardillo, 19, single, and an inactive member of the Alpha Kappa Rho fraternity; Alvin Sanchez, 25; and brothers Dinobreck and Brian Soquino who are all residents of barangay Kasambagan.

Upon their arrest, the Homicide police ordered them to take off their bloodied pants and shirts to have these examined at the PNP Crime Laboratory.

PO3 Jojo Ursaiz of the Homicide Section said the victim's younger brother, Gabriel, had engaged in a row with the suspects. Gabriel was reportedly fuming mad when he was allegedly punched by one of suspects while he was outside the dance hall watching a benefit dance in sitio Univille.

Michael reportedly came to his brother's rescue, but the suspects turned their ire on him and started hitting him. He then ran for his life, but the suspect came after him. Upon reaching sitio Baca, the suspects got a hold of him, mauled him and took turns in stabbing him.

The father of the victim presented to the police two baseball caps and a blood-stained rock he found at the crime scene. He believed that the rock was used in mashing the head of his son. - Flor Z. Perolina