1 killed in bar staff brawl in Manila

MANILA, Philippines—A bar staff coming to the rescue of his club dancer girlfriend was stabbed dead by his co-worker in a bar on Rizal Avenue in Sta. Cruz, Manila, before dawn Sunday.

Hilmy Barredo, 23, a stay-in employee at the Apollo 14 KTV Bar, was killed while trying to defend his live-in partner, Joana Morales, 22, from his co-worker identified as Ace Garcia.

Prior to the stabbing, Barredo, Garcia and their respective live-in partners were having drinks and discussing work problems, police said, quoting Morales’ testimony.

Trouble started when Garcia and his unidentified girlfriend started quarrelling. Morales tried to pacify them, according to case investigator Police Officer 2 Bernardo Cayabyab of the Manila Police District Homicide Section.

However, Garcia turned his ire on Morales and punched her. An outraged Barredo immediately confronted Garcia and a fistfight ensued between them.

Garcia then pulled out a knife and stabbed Barredo twice on the left side of his torso, before fleeing with the weapon.

Barredo was rushed to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center but died during surgery.