Practical joke causes man's death

CEBU, Philippines - Be careful with your jokes, otherwise you’ll end up being killed.

This was what happened to a 35-year-old “habal-habal” (motorcycle for hire) driver in Barangay Pulang Bato, Cebu City who was killed by no less than his close friend, who was allegedly fed up by the victim’s jokes.

Arquel Seno Morga was stabbed dead by Viviano Alin, 30, who admitted that he already lost his patience when the victim jokingly tried to hit him with his motorcycle.

The suspect, who is also a neighbor of the victim and second degree cousin of the victim’s wife, alleged that whenever Morga gets drunk, the latter would jokingly tell him that he would box him or hurt him.

According to a 16-year-old female witness, she boarded the victim’s motorcycle but he stopped and let her disembark upon reaching Sitio Tayabas when the suspect suddenly appeared on their side and without provocation, stabbed the victim on the back.

Despite his would, Morga was still able to get off his vehicle and ran, but the suspect gave a chase. A few meters away, the victim stumbled on the roadside enabling the suspect to catch him and stab him again on the back.

Personnel from the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) declared the victim dead on the spot while the suspect voluntarily surrendered to barangay councilman Ernesto Borbon and barangay tanod Renerio Miñoza, who later turned him over to the police.

PO2 Leroy Baguio of Homicide Section said the suspect, who is described to be a silent type of person, admitted that he has lost his patience with his friend’s jokes.

Other than the allegations of the suspect that the victim attempted to hit him with the motorcycle prior to the incident, Baguio believes that the suspect has a deeper motive in killing the victim.

The suspect was taken to the Cebu City Jail after a criminal complaint of murder was filed against him before the City Prosecutors’ Office yesterday. — Niña G. Sumacot/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)