By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A 59-year-old man who was celebrating his birthday Sunday night was killed after being allegedly stabbed in his home at Purok Chico in Barangay Handumanan, Bacolod City.

Police identified the fatality as Gary Gaitan.

Based on witness statements provided to police, Gaitan was hosting a party when one of the guests, identified as Romulo Belvis, began acting violently.

Gaitan tried to calm Belvis down but the latter reportedly picked up a large piece of wood and tried to smash it against the birthday celebrant.

One of the suspects, Jeffrey Acejo, then joined the commotion and was allegedly stabbed by the victim.

Acejo’s sons, Mark Eugene and Jay-r, who were drinking nearby, were subsequently informed of their father’s stabbing. The two immediately picked up several bladed weapons and charged at Gaitan’s home.

A violent scuffle then ensued, with Gaitan and the suspects falling into a drainage canal, where the suspects stabbed the victim repeatedly.

Police eventually rounded up the suspects; while Gaitan was rushed to the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival by hospital staff.

Acejo and his two sons were rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital for treatment.

The two brothers are facing criminal charges over the incident./DGB, WDJ