Man stabs neighbor to death in Valenzuela

MANILA, Philippines — A Valenzuela City man stabbed his neighbor to death after the suspect grabbed a P1,000 from the victim after he was not given a pack of cigarettes.

A report from the Valenzuela City Police said the suspect Erwin Bagtas, 33, stabbed his neighbor, 55-year-old Eduardo Mercado after the latter was walking home from a sari-sari store with his nephew and grandson along Bernardino St. in Barangay Gen. T. De Leon in the early hours of Friday.

The report added that while Mercado and his nephew and grandson were on the way home, they were stopped by Bagtas, who asked for cigarettes.

After Mercado told Bagtas he did not have any cigarettes, the suspect then allegedly grabbed P1,000 from the victim’s hand. This prompted Mercado to punch Bagtas.

Police also said that moments after their encounter, Bagtas suddenly stabbed Mercado with a kitchen knife. Bagtas later fled the crime scene, police said.

Mercado was rushed to the hospital, but was declared dead on arrival, police added.

Police Lt. Armando Delima, Valenzuela City Detective Management Unit chief, said they have already coordinated with Bagtas’ mother for the arrest of the suspect.

“Sinamahan n’ya kami sa bahay ng isang anak n’ya sa Antipolo na posibleng pinuntahan nung suspek,” Delima said.

(She joined us to go to her child’s  house in Antipolo where her son might be hiding.)

Bagtas was later arrested while onboard a tricycle along Sumulong Highway, Antipolo, Rizal, police said.

According to police records, Bagtas is on the “watch list” of drug suspects and was previously arrested for drug-related charges.

Charges for murder and theft are now being prepared against Bagtas, Valenzuela City police said.

/MUF