Boy, 16, stabbed 17 times by “good friend”

CEBU, Philippines - A 16-year-old boy died after he was stabbed several times by his 20-year-old friend past 2 a.m. Thursday dawn in Barangay Bangbang, Cordova town.

Rodel Deceiro was rushed to the Lapu-Lapu District Hospital where he was declared dead minutes after.

His friend, Crisben “Opaw” Cañete, immediately fled away on foot after the incident.

Police Officer 2 Vilma Degamo, desk officer, said that Cañete and Deceiro were close friends, as disclosed by the victim’s older brother.

Degamo said that according to the victim’s older brother, both Cañete and Deceiro were outside an Internet café while he was inside.

The victim and the suspect, together with their friends, reportedly had an argument, which resulted to a fistfight.

The victim’s older brother thought that Cañete was only hitting his brother but the victim was already being stabbed by the suspect.

 “Ang gi-disclose sa igsoon sa biktima mora’g naka-tripping ang suspek, nagtoo lang silag gisumbag pero dunggab na diay,” Degamo said.

Cañete fled away after the incident with some of their friends, while the rest called for help.

The police responded and an ambulance brought the victim to Lapu-Lapu District Hospital but Deceiro died while the doctors were treating him.

The victim suffered 17 stab wounds in his body, suggesting that the suspect did not intend to keep him alive.

Cañete had allegedly stabbed another person before but was released after the family of the victim did not press charges.

This time, the Cordova Police will file a complaint against Cañete even if Deceiro’s family will not coordinate with them. — (FREEMAN)