By CESAR JOLITO III

A 46-year-old man was stabbed dead by his fellow laborer at Barangay Mambugsay in Negros Occidental’s Cauayan town on Monday night, January 26.

Police identified the suspect as a 37-year-old laborer known by the alias “Nardo,” who remains at large.

Both the victim and the suspect are residents of Purok 1 in the same barangay.

Initial police investigation showed the victim was inside his house when the suspect allegedly passed by shouting and challenging him to come outside.

When the victim stepped out, the two reportedly grappled.

The suspect allegedly punched the victim several times before drawing a knife from his waist and stabbing him multiple times, inflicting wounds on different parts of his body.

The victim was able to walk a short distance before collapsing. He was rushed to the Cauayan District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Investigators noted that the victim and the suspect had a long-standing personal grudge, which authorities believe may have triggered the attack.

Police have launched a follow-up investigation and a hot pursuit operation for the possible arrest of the suspect.

Farmer shot

In a separate incident later that night, a 24-year-old farmer was injured after he was shot around 11:00 p.m. in Purok 1, Barangay Elihan.

The victim is a resident of Barangay Tuyom’s Sitio Palaypay.

The suspect, identified by 42-year-old alias “Jovet,” a former overseas Filipino worker and resident of Barangay Elihan, was arrested.

Investigation revealed that the incident occurred during a birthday celebration for the mother of the victim’s live-in partner.

During a drinking session, the suspect allegedly arrived and caused a disturbance.

When the victim confronted the suspect, the situation escalated into a physical altercation.

The suspect later left the area, returned armed with a firearm, and allegedly shot the victim twice, hitting him in the left leg.

The victim, with the help of family members, was able to disarm the suspect.

Both men were brought to the hospital and were reported to be in stable condition.

The suspect was subsequently taken into police custody.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the appropriate charges to be filed in both cases./CJ, WDJ