Trader stabbed dead in Quiapo; Lanao mayor’s brod-in-law hit by stray bullet

A businessman was stabbed dead while trying to pacify a quarrel between waiters and two customers of a videoke bar in Sta. Cruz, Manila, early yesterday. The homicide section of the Western Police District identified the victim as Eduardo Barroga, 46, of 1114 Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz.

Initial police investigation showed that prior to the incident, suspects Manolito Isip, alias Coycoy, 32, a vendor of 1017 P. Guevarra Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila; and a certain Balong were drinking at the Nataniel videoke at about 3:15 a.m. when they spotted Ariel Yap and Kenneth Gallardo while coming out of the nearby 3 Brothers Videoke bar.

Police said the two waiters, employees of the 3 Brothers videoke, had a heated argument with the suspects a week ago. According to police, the suspects then walked to the 3 Brothers videoke and confronted Yap and Gallardo. The two waiters, upon seeing the suspects, immediately locked the door of the videoke to prevent them from entering. It was at this point that Barroga, who was then at the bar, intervened in the argument and tried to pacify the suspects.

Unfortunately, instead of calming down, the suspects pulled out knives, police said.

Police said Balong stabbed Yap in the abdomen, injuring him while Isip stabbed Barroga in various parts of the body. Yap was rushed to the Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital. Barroga was also rushed to the same hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Isip was later arrested by police and is now in the custody of the Sta. Cruz Police.

Meanwhile, the brother-in-law of a Lanao del Sur mayor was killed after being hit by a stray bullet in a shooting incident in Quiapo, Manila, on Saturday night.

Police identified the fatality as Zainal Sulayma, 43, a businessman of 43-H Rawatan Street, Islamic Center, Quiapo, Manila.

Sulayman, police said, is the brother-in-law of Lanao Del Sur Mayor Jamal Dajaya.

Two other persons were injured in the shooting incident and were later identified as Anthony Mendoza, 37, of 2668 Radium Street, San Andres Bukid; and Rosalie Gratuito, 32, of ROTC Hunters Street, Tatalon, Quezon City.

Initial police investigation showed that Mendoza was seating on the sidewalk along Globo de Oro Street at about 6:30 p.m. when an unidentified man armed with a pistol, appeared and shot him in the chest.

The suspect continued firing, hitting Gratuito and Sulayma who were walking in the street. The victims were rushed to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Hospital where Sulayma was declared dead on arrival.

Police are still tracking down the gunman.