Parking spat triggers deadly stabbing in Makati

MANILA, Philippines – A tricycle driver stabbed his neighbor, a taxi driver, over a parking spat last Sunday night.

Monico Eres ended up stabbing his neighbor, Ferdinand Olipas, after the former angrily confronted the latter over a parking disagreement inside their compound at 4040 Kalayaan Barangay Singkamas, Makati City.

According to a witness and a fellow neighbor, Mary Rose Rivera, she was seated inside a tricycle when Olipas, arriving with his taxi, saw Eres’ tricycles blocking his way. Olipas then burst angrily, spewing expletives and shouting at Eres to move away his tricycles. Eres responded by taking a kitchen knife and stabbing Olipas two times.

The case investigator, Police Officer 3 Ronaldo Villaranda of the Makati Police Investigation section, said that Olipas’ sudden outburst and Eres’ reaction might have been caused by a longstanding problem over parking space.

The victim was brought to the Ospital ng Makati Pembo for treatment, while the suspect was arrested by members of the Makati Police and the barangay tanod (neighborhood watch) and will be charged with attempted homicide.