Sleeping man stabbed dead by drinking buddy

MANILA, Philippines—Be careful of the company you keep. Your drinking buddy now could be your murderer hours later.

Such was the outcome for scavenger Joaquin Hulipas, 31, who was stabbed dead in his own home on Aroma St., Barangay (village) 105, Zone 8 in Tondo, Manila on Tuesday night.

Hours before his murder, Hulipas was drinking at 6 p.m. with a group of friends including the suspect, identified only as Juancho, estimated to be in his early 20s, of medium-built and 5’7″ in height.

Later at Hulipas’ house, his live-in partner, Virgie Inomar, 38, was roused from sleep when Juancho entered their unit and immediately proceeded to stab the sleeping victim once on the chest, reported case investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Giovanni Valera of the Manila Police District Homicide section, quoting the lone witness.

As the suspect fled, Inomar screamed for help until neighbors came and helped rush the victim to the hospital.

Hulipas was already dead when the group arrived at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center 25 minutes past midnight.

The police continued to conduct an investigation and launched a manhunt for Juancho, whose motive for the killing remains a mystery.