Car painter stabs cabbie dead

CEBU, Philippines - A taxi driver was stabbed dead over alleged personal grudge by a car painter in Sitio Laray, Panagdait, Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City at almost 9 p.m. last Sunday.

Jonathan Batan alias “Dondon,” 33, was stabbed dead by Andres Estrada Albino, 46, a resident of the place.

According to the male friends of the victim, they were walking on the pathway towards the basketball court when the suspect suddenly appeared from behind and stabbed the victim on the back using a knife.

Batan, a taxi driver, who hails from Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City, reportedly fell down but the suspect continued stabbing him and then fled away.

Paramedics from the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation led by Anthony Yap said that the victim’s pulse rate was already abnormal and the victim was no longer breathing when they arrived at the scene.

Batan suffered from three fatal stab wounds on his chest and one on his back.

Responding policemen from the Crime Scene Investigation Unit recovered cash amounting to P254 and a cellular phone from the victim’s possession.

Luella Nisnisan, 30, sister of the victim, alleged that the latter was charged for physical injuries case by the suspect in November 2006.

However, the case was dismissed in January this year which they believed irked the suspect.

Batan’s cadaver was taken to St. Margaret Funeral Homes for autopsy while the suspect later voluntarily surrendered to PO3 Jeffrey Larobis of Mabolo Police Station. — Niña G. Sumacot and Lorlaine Joy E. Olorvida, PIT intern/WAB (FREEMAN NEWS)