Man slits nephew’s throat, stabs 12 at Caloocan party

A mentally-disturbed man wanted for the alleged murder of a brother in his hometown in Masbate was arrested yesterday after slitting the throat of a one-year-old son of a relative with whom he had been staying since arriving in Caloocan City four days ago.

As suspect Robert Quano, 35, jobless and temporarily residing at 4274 Sawata Block 7, Maypajo, Caloocan City, fled the crime scene, some 12 persons were wounded in various parts of the body as he went on a stabbing spree in an attempt to flee.

His nephew, Rondel Barba, was declared dead on arrival at the Martinez Memorial Center due to a deep stab wound across his throat. Quano was sent to the Caloocan City Jail after charges of murder and physical injuries were filed against him.

SPO2 Antonio Penaranda, case investigator, said at about 4:30 p.m. at a neighbor’s birthday party, the suspect suddenly grabbed the victim, who was playing outside the house, went to the kitchen, got a nine-inch rusty butcher’s knife and poked it against his newphew’s neck.

As the young Barba’s mother Linda, 42, approached them, Quano ran the knife across the child’s throat. The mother attempted to grab her son, but Quano met her with a thrust of the knife to the left side of her neck.

Her husband Rodito, 45, who came to the aid of his wife, was also stabbed in the face, causing a gash on his right cheek. Two more stabs on his head drew more blood.

Neighbors who noticed the commotion rescued the couple from further harm, but the suspect also stabbed Ernesto Grifiel and Ramil Villar as Quano went out of the house wildly swinging the fatal weapon.

A group of barangay watchmen later gave chase and subdued the suspect who was later turned over to the police.

Probers gathered that the suspect became agitated when he felt he that several men at the party were talking about him.

He confronted the guests. Moments after confronting the guests, he grabbed the boy.