Working student dies in stabbing incident in Rodriguez, Rizal

A 21-year-old male working student died after he was stabbed as he and his companion were walking home from work in Barangay San Jose in Rodriguez, Rizal on February 8.

According to EJ Gomez’s report in “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, CCTV footage showed that the victim, Jade Kirby Barona, and his friend were walking together when three men robbed them. 

Rodriguez police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Arwyn Gaffud said the suspects took the bag of Barona’s companion.

Barona tried to help his companion, but did not realized that he was stabbed during the struggle for the bag.

The suspects ran off and Barona was rushed to a hospital, where he later died.

The victim’s family said he was about to finish college soon and had dreams of becoming a seafarer.

Five days after the incident, one of the three suspects, a minor, was arrested.

Authorities recovered a .45 caliber pistol and some bullets from the minor, who is now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Police said they are conducting manhunt operations for the two other suspects.

Maricel Barona, the victim’s mother, appealed for justice for her son’s death and said she will not allow the two other suspects to escape accountability for killing her son. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News