Teen dies after being stabbed in the neck while breaking up fight in Cavite

A 17-year-old minor who allegedly pacified a quarrel died after being stabbed in the neck during the Regada Festival in Cavite.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Jhomer Apresto on Thursday, the stabbing incident occurred near the end of the program on Wednesday.

Police investigation revealed that the victim was trying to break up a fight that erupted after two groups of teenagers accidentally bumped into each other.

“Hindi natin alam kung anong purpose niya, kung tumulong, awatin o makipagsuntukan din… Magkatabi lang ang tent nila, du’n nagsimula. Magkakilala na rin sila. Nagkasagian tapos nagkaayos naman uli pero for some other reason parang na ignite ‘yung sagian few hours earlier,” said Police Colonel Socrates Jica, chief of the Cavite City Police.

(We do not know what his purpose was, whether to help, to stop or to fight... Their tents were next to each other, that's where it started. They knew each other. They had a quarrel and then made up again. But for some other reason, it seemed like the fight had ignited a few hours earlier.)

According to a witness, the victim ran a few meters before suddenly collapsing.

Bystanders rushed the victim to a hospital, but he later died after the stab wound struck a major vein in his neck.

It was not yet clear what knife was used, but according to the police, the murder weapon was likely a key.

“Nakita ko lang kasi hawak na ng kaibigan niya ‘yung tama. Nanaig na ‘yung takot.. ‘Yung iba nag-iiyakan na rin sa takot,” the witness said.

(I just saw that his friend was holding the injury. Fear had overcome him.. The others were also crying in fear.)

There are also reports that another man was stabbed, but that the images were possibly A.I. generated, the police added.

Authorities immediately arrested the 34-year-old suspect, who is believed to have first quarreled with the victim's uncle.

“Wala po akong alam sa nangyari na ‘yun. Pinagtulungan lang po nila ako. ‘Yung nangyari po sa tatay, hindi ko po alam ‘yun, wala po akong alam,” the suspect said.

(I do not know anything about what happened. They just ganged up on me. What happened to the father, I do not know, I don't know anything.)

However, the suspect who allegedly killed the victim was seen in a video immediately fleeing and hiding.

“Nakausap natin 'yung mga magulang pati 'yung asawa niya, subalit hindi na po natin naabutan doon 'yung tao at hindi na rin po makontak ng mga magulang niya… Ito po ay may trabaho sabi ng ating isang witness, minsan nagco-construction at isa rin po itong tattoo artist,” said Jaca.

(We spoke to his parents and his wife, but we were unable to reach the person there and his parents were unable to contact him... One of our witnesses said that he had a job, sometimes in construction and that he was also a tattoo artist.)

Charges are being prepared against the suspect, who is currently in the custody of the Cavite City Police Station.

“Mabait naman po siya. ‘Pag may problema, nagdadamayan naman po kami. Masakit ho,” said a cousin of the victim.

(He's kind. When there's a problem, we help each other out. It hurts.) —Jamil Santos/LDF, GMA News