Man charged for ‘stabbing’ drinking buddy

CEBU, Philippines — A man was charged with attempted murder before the court for “stabbing” his drinking buddy.

The Prosecutor’s Office has found sufficient ground to indict Romil Flores, 30, a resident of Hapi-hapi Compound, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City.

The victim, 44-year-old Arsenio Baral, alleged that Flores stabbed him while they were drinking near a convenience store at around 3 a.m. on June 10.

The drinking session began at 9 p.m. on June 9.

Baral said it was Flores who invited him for a drink.

“I was standing along the road then Flores came and invited me for a drinking spree,” said Baral in his affidavit.

While in the middle of the conversation, Flores stood up and went beside the store to urinate.

Flores then called Baral, who, without hesitation, immediately approached the former.

Baral said Flores hugged him tight and stabbed him, hitting the latter’s left chest.

“I then curiously approached Romil knowing that there's something he wants to say. But he suddenly stabbed me,” Baral said.

Baral shouted for help. A jeepney driver came to his rescue and brought him to the hospital.

Baral said Flores had “ill feelings” over a missing battery of a cellular phone.

"Flores had a grudge against me because he lent his cellular phone to me for the amount of P50. But when I returned the phone, he accused me that the phone had no battery inserted," the affidavit read.

In an inquest proceeding, Flores chose to face the charges in court.

Prosecutor II Venice Balansag recommended P120,000 bail for Flores’ temporary liberty. (FREEMAN)