By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A 25-year-old businessman was wounded Sunday night after he was reportedly stabbed by an associate who then allegedly proceeded to steal his pick-up truck at a local mall in Bacolod City’s Barangay Singcang-Airport.
Police identified the victim as Peter Lopez, a resident of Manville Royale in the city’s Barangay Tangub.
Police Station 8 (PS8) commander, Police Major Charles Gever, said Lopez met with the suspect, identified only by the alias ‘Jake Javier,’ along with another unidentified man at the mall’s parking lot. An argument ensued between Lopez and ‘Javier,’ which escalated with the suspect pulling out a knife and stabbing the victim in his hand, arm, and shoulder.
The assailant then left the bloodied Lopez in the parking lot by stealing his pick-up truck.
The victim was immediately rushed to the Riverside Medical Center for treatment, while the provincial police were alerted to be on the lookout for the stolen vehicle.
Highway patrol group personnel later found Lopez’ vehicle abandoned in the parking lot of the St. Jude Thaddeus Church in the city’s Barangay Alijis.
Police are now conducting a manhunt operation against ‘Javier.’/DGB, WDJ