Taho maker stabbed dead

A taho (tofu) maker was stabbed dead while his companion was critically wounded by their former co-worker in San Juan on the eve of Christmas day.

Police Officer 2 Rio Tuyay identified the fatality as Joel Tabile, 21, single, a stay-in taho maker at no. 313 F. Roman street, Barangay Salapan, San Juan City. Tabile sustained multiple stab wounds in the body.

Tuyay said Tabile was declared dead on arrival at the UERM Medical Center by Dr. Arvei Mallari. He said the other victim, identified as Elegio Ruiz, 25, single, also a stay-in taho maker in the same place, was still in critical condition at the UERM Medical Center.

Ruiz also sustained multiple stabbed wounds in the body.

The suspect, identified as Benjamin Casas, 26, married, a taho vendor, and a resident of Hoover, corner Lloyd George streets, Barangay Addition Hills, San Juan City, was collared by responding policemen immediately after the incident.

Tuyay said Casas, who was reeking with liquor, went to the taho factory in Roman street where he met the victims. He said Casas, who was terminated by his boss in the factory where Tabile and Ruiz were still working, had an old grudge with Ruiz.

“Apparently, the purpose of the suspect (Casas) is to create trouble. He went at the crime scene reeking with liquor” Tuyay said. He said witnesses saw Casas and Ruiz while talking, but this resulted to a heated argument until they engaged in a fist fight.

He said Casas suddenly pulled out a kitchen knife and starded stabbing Ruiz.

“Tabile tried to rescue Ruiz from Casas’ attack. He took a pinga and tried to hit Casas but his feet slid. Sensing this, Casas turned his ire on Tabile and stabbed him several times. The two victims were rushed by their co-workers at the UERM Medical Center, but Tabile was declared dead on arrival” Tuyay said.

Criminal charges are being readied against Casas, who is now jailed at the San Juan Police station detention cell.