2 hurt in stabbing incidents

CEBU, Philippines - Two men were injured in separate stabbing incidents in barangays T. Padilla and Suba in Cebu City yesterday and the other day.

Yesterday’s incident occurred early dawn in barangay T. Padilla when victim Hendrel Gajudo, 20, was stabbed by his neighbor Archie Roca, 28, in the middle of a drinking session.

Roca, Gajudo, Gajudo’s brother Michael and friend Manuel Larombe were drinking when Gajudo reminded Roca of the bag the latter borrowed from him. But this reportedly irritated Roca and led to an argument between the victim and the suspect that eventually escalated to a fistfight.

Roca, who was bringing a pair of scissors with him, allegedly used them to stab Gajudo on the right side of his chest and right armpit.

Gajudo was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center, as tanods in the area arrived just in time to arrest Roca.

Meanwhile, the incident in barangay Suba centered on a family dispute when the suspect, Richard Caballa, was reportedly disappointed over the move of their parents to sell their house.

Richard’s brother, Ricky, 25, told the police that he woke Richard up past 1 p.m. the other day to confront him why he allegedly insulted their parents over the sale of their house.

Ricky said he was prompted to punch Richard in the face when the latter tried to reason out. Richard reportedly ran away but returned a few minutes later and hugged Ricky.

Unknown to Ricky, however, Richard was already bringing a knife with him, which he used to stab his brother in the back during the “hug”.

Richard later voluntarily surrendered to the barangay tanods who turned him over to the city police. Ricky was also brought to CCMC for treatment. — Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)