According to investigator PO2 Ananias Birad Jr., said the victim, Wenceslao Araza, 55, a resident of Barangay Tañong, and his alleged assailant, Pedro Sabio, 38, had just come from a midnight mass (Simbang Gabi) when they decided to play backyard cockfighting near Araza’s house.
The two agreed to place bets at P600 each. Araza won but Sabio paid only P300, which the former resented.
The disagreement worsened after Sabio accused Araza of cheating. Sabio charged Araza of allegedly putting something on the gaff (tari) which affected the outcome of the fight.
When Araza would not give in, Sabio reached for a 12-inch knife tucked in his waist and stabbed Araza several times in the body. Sabio fled as Araza was brought by neighbors to the Pagamutang Bayan ng Malabon.
Attending physician Emerlito Bungay said Araza died from severe loss of blood.
Sabio was later collared by PO1 Anthony Delirio with barangay tanods Benjamin Rivera and Henry Borja not far from the crime scene. — Jerry Botial, Ian Estrada