Man nabbed for killing neighbor over stray firecracker

MANILA, Philippines - A man was arrested for allegedly stabbing a construction worker he accused of throwing a firecracker at him on New Year’s Eve in Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City.

Senior Police Officer 1 Eric Lazo said Abraham Paez was subjected to inquest yesterday on murder charges.

Police arrested Paez while he was with relatives in Barangay Commonwealth after he was identified as the person who stabbed Mark Jason Acuna, 26, at past 11 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Acuna died upon arrival at Fairview General Hospital.

His wife, Darylyn, 20, told police he and a friend were lighting firecrackers that night and one of these landed next to a child, who kicked the firecracker away from him.

The firecracker went off next to Paez, who was drunk. The suspect confronted the two men and this led to a fistfight. After others broke up the fight, Acuna’s sister said she saw Paez had waited for her brother outside their house and stabbed him repeatedly.