Brothers stabbed by neighbor in Sibonga; 1 dead

CEBU, Philippines - One of three brothers was stabbed dead by their neighbor in the middle of a heated argument after a commotion in Barangay Tubod, Sibonga last Sunday afternoon.

Jonathan Sta. Rita, 25, a laborer, died on the spot due to multiple and fatal stab wounds while his younger brother, Jason Sta. Rita, 23, had a single stab wound on his back.

Criminal charges for homicide and physical injuries will be filed against Jerwin Decierdo, 28, who immediately fled on foot after committing the crime.

PO2 Arnold Frenal, of the Sibonga Police Station, said that prior to the incident, the brothers Jason, Jonathan and their oldest brother Jovan, 30, allegedly mauled Patricio Punes, 75, a farmer.

The three were allegedly at the volleyball court when the commotion happened.

“Mura’g kanang volleyball nga naay pustaanay unya nagkabangi, (Betting on a volleyball game may have caused the conflict.)” Frenal said.

Frenal said that Jovan allegedly saw Punes pointing at one of his brothers which prompted him to ask what happened but he was punched by Punes instead.

The allegation was however opposed by Punes who allegedly said that one of the brothers was drunk and for no apparent reason, approached him and hit him once prompting him to fight back.

Frenal said people watching the volleyball game were able to pacify them. The three then went home.

At around 4:00 in the afternoon, the three brothers went back to the volleyball court and again figured in another conflict. This time, it was Decierdo whom they encountered.

Jonathan allegedly choked Decierdo and attempted to stab him using a knife but missed.

Decierdo reportedly fought back and managed to grab the knife from Jonathan, which he then used to stab the latter repeatedly.

Jason tried to rescue his brother but he was also stabbed by Decierdo before fleeing.

Jason was taken to an undisclosed hospital in Cebu City while Jonathan was taken to the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Carcar City. – (FREEMAN)