By JEN BAYLON

A college student has been charged with homicide after he allegedly stabbed a teen to death outside a bar on Lacson Street in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mandalagan on Tuesday, May 13.

The suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Adrian Cagayao of the city’s Barangay Granada, while the victim was 18-year-old Hakiru Legaste of Barangay Efigenio Lizares in Negros Occidental’s Talisay City.

According to initial police investigations, a commotion broke out between groups involving Cagayao and Legaste at the bar.

During the scuffle, witnesses reported seeing the suspect allegedly pull out a knife and strangle Legaste, which led to his death.

The suspect fled the scene afterward.

Cagayao voluntarily surrendered to the authorities the following day.

He was accompanied by his father, Ernesto, and personally apologized to the victim’s family, police said.

‘Self-defense’

Ernesto claimed that his son acted in self-defense during the altercation on Tuesday.

He shared that on Monday, May 12, after dinner, he allowed Adrian to go out for some fresh air and instructed him to return home by 9:00 p.m.

However, his son was later persuaded by his friends to visit the bar.

Ernesto said that, according to his son, the conflict started between the two groups inside the bar, and escalated outside.

He alleged that Legaste drew a knife but dropped it during the altercation, after which his son picked it up and used it in defense.

The family now possesses closed-circuit television footage that they believe will support their claim of self-defense.

Justice

In a radio interview, Legaste’s mother, Malot, intended to file a homicide case against the younger Cagayao and other unidentified persons who participated in the assault, demanding justice for her son.

Malot said she continues to grieve and struggles to forgive the suspect.

She revealed that her son was only invited by friends to go to the bar before the incident occurred.

Malot described Hakiru as a college-bound varsity swimmer, known for being friendly and well-liked.

She also admitted her shortcomings as a parent, especially since she works overseas in Japan as an overseas Filipino worker, but emphasized her love and efforts to provide a comfortable life for her children.

Police investigations are ongoing as authorities search for other possible accomplices involved in the incident to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident./JB, WDJ