Man killed for a bag of groceries

Police arrested yesterday morning two brothers who allegedly stabbed dead a 28-year-old man for a bag of groceries in front of a convenience store in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Victim Rodel Morgado, of 68 Tatlong Hari St., Barangay Gulod, Novaliches, sustained stab wounds in the body and died while undergoing medical treatment at the Bernardino Hospital.

The suspects, Fred Mosende, 41, and his younger brother Cecerio, 29, are now detained at the Central Police District headquarters awaiting charges.

Initial investigations showed that the incident took place at about 1:30 a.m. outside the 7-11 convenience store located at P. Dela Cruz Street in Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches.

Morgado had just bought some groceries from the store and was on him way home when the Mosende brothers, armed with fan knives, blocked his path. Without warning, they repeatedly stabbed the victim in the chest and stomach and took his bag of groceries.

Responding policemen, however, immediately arrived at the scene and arrested the two brothers.

Meanwhile, a15-year-old girl was taken to the hospital in serious condition after another teenage girl allegedly stabbed her with a knife in the head after a "Simbang Gabi" Mass in Malabon Monday.

Malabon police station investigation chief Senior Inspector Napoleon Bataycan said victim Judith Jayona of 273-Sitio 6, Catmon, Malabon City is under observation for serious head injuries at the Pagamutang Lunsod ng Malabon.

Suspect Rizalyn Santos, 16, student, residing in Bay Town, Hulong Duhat, Malabon has been arrested while the police are in pursuit of the suspect’s cohorts, a certain "Andy" and two unidentified female companions.

According to P02 Jorge Diaz Cruz, the incident occurred at around five in the morning near the Sto. Niño Church in Barangay Concepcion.

The victim and her companions were reportedly on their way home after the traditional "Simbang Gabi" when they allegedly passed by the suspects’ group.

Witnesses told probers they heard Santos allegedly call the group in a loud voice "baduy" and "jologs" (slang for tacky). Resenting the calls, the victim reportedly confronted the group, triggering a heated verbal exchange. Santos then allegedly whipped out a knife and stabbed the victim in the head.

The group then scampered to different directions but quick-responding barangay watchmen collared Santos who is now detained at the Malabon police jail pending the filing of appropriate charges. –Jerry Botial