Man charged for death of friend

CEBU, Philippines - A man has been charged for murder before the Regional Trial Court yesterday after allegedly stabbing to death his pal last June 21 of this year.

Formal charges have already been forwarded before the RTC against Pelayo Banggiran of Barili town after he allegedly stabbed dead his buddy, Rufino Mangyan, during a benefit dance.

Prosecutor Petronio Elestrio has recommended the filing of charges against Banggiran after the latter failed to submit countercharges to refute claims that he indeed stabbed his pal in a disco dawn of the said date.

Originally, there were two others who were included in the charges. These were Gaudencio Carpentero and Modesto Navares who both denied that they were the ones who stabbed Mangyan several times.

According to Carpentero and Navares, they were in the said disco when the victim reportedly suddenly stabbed Carpentero, hitting him in the nose.

Carpentero further said that he fainted and when he regained consciousness, he saw Mangyan holding a gun and about to shoot him.

But, he said, he was able to run from the scene. He narrated that he then proceeded to a hospital along with Navares to have his wound treated. 

Some of the witnesses pointed at them as part of the stabbing incident but it was stated that Banggiran was the one who stabbed Mangyan first.

Prosecutor Elestrio said that the medical certificate stated that Mangyan was stabbed in the chest which resulted to his instantaneous death.

Elestrio believes that the crime had been perpetrated by a lone perpetrator he suspects to be Banggiran. He then dismissed the charges against Carpentero and Navares saying that there weren’t enough evidence to indict them of the crime.

No bail has been recommended. —Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)