Watch technician who stabbed teen during Sept 21 rally surrenders

A 52-year-old watch technician who stabbed a 15-year-old student amid the commotion during the September 21 protest action in Manila has surrendered to authorities, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso said Wednesday.

Domagoso said the suspect, identified as Richard Francisco, surrendered to the Barbosa Police Station in Quiapo after the incident.

Police said Francisco, who owns a shop in the area, claimed he tried to protect his property when a group of minors allegedly tried to vandalize establishments near the intersection of C.M. Recto Avenue and Quezon Boulevard. 

“Nabigla lang ako, hindi ko sadya (I was shocked, I did not mean to do it),” Francisco said when asked about the incident.

Following his surrender, the suspect underwent a medical examination at Ospital ng Sampaloc before being turned over to the Manila Police District Homicide Section for investigation and proper disposition.

Domagoso expressed grief over the incident as he urged young people to heed their parents’ guidance and avoid rash decisions, particularly during volatile mass actions.

“Mga bata, ang magulang ninyo walang masamang iisipin para sa inyo. Kaya pinapanawagan ko, ‘wag tayo magpadalos-dalos — sayang ang buhay, sayang ang kinabukasan. Makinig kayo sa magulang niyo,” the mayor said.

(Young people, your parents only want what’s best for you. I appeal to you — don’t act recklessly. Life is precious, the future is precious. Listen to your parents.)

Domagoso also reminded residents not to take the law into their own hands even in moments of fear or anger.

“It turned out it’s an ordinary citizen trying to protect his property and afraid of his life, caught in the middle of a chaotic and unruly riot,” he said. “I know, mahirap, lalo na kung gusto mong proteksyunan ang iyong sarili at iyong naipundar. But buhay, hindi na natin maibabalik.”

The mayor said the surrender of the suspect helped authorities solve the case quickly.

“With the suspect’s voluntary surrender, the case has been closed and resolved immediately,” Domagoso said. —Sherylin Untalan/AOL, GMA Integrated News