Fatal stabbing cuts short Christmas merry-making in Sta. Ana

MANILA, Philippines—Merry-making residents in Sta. Ana, Manila, had to cut short their Christmas parties when a man stabbed and killed his neighbor early Thursday morning.

The victim, 28-year-old Jay-r Bautista, was stabbed and killed by Ryan Flores, 24, after he complained of the noise Flores’ drinking buddy was making by revving the engine of a motorcycle. Police said that according to neighbors’ accounts, Bautista and Flores were drinking in separate but nearby parties along Oro-B Street in Sta. Ana at around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday when the two began to argue after Bautista complained about the noise.

The case investigator, SPO2 Milbert Balinggan of Manila Police District’s homicide section, said the altercation quickly escalated, with both the victim’s and suspect’’s companions joining in the fight by throwing bottles of liquor at each other. In the middle of the commotion, witnesses said they saw Flores whip out a knife and stab Bautista in the chest.

Bautista’s neighbors rushed him to Sta. Ana Hospital but he was declared dead on arrival at around 2 a.m.

Balinggan said barangay (village) officials and officers from MPD’s Sta. Ana station immediately responded to the killing and arrested the suspect. Flores is now detained at MPD’s headquarters on United Nations Avenue, according to Balinggan. Police recovered the weapon, a 10-inch-long kitchen knife, at the crime scene.