An 18-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stabbing a 15-year-old boy to death in Batangas City.

According to the police, the victim was reported missing on March 10, 2024, which prompted a search. 

The body of the victim was found floating at the Calumpang River in Barangay Malitam the next day.

Investigation reportedly showed that the victim and the suspect were involved in a confrontation related to local fraternities in a barangay.

"Kasi ito po ay dike na may mga upuan sa gilid. Halos lahat po ng pumupunta doon mga kabataan na may mga grupo-grupo, alam naman po natin ang kabataan sa Batangas City may kanya-kanyang fraternity organization… kapag nagmi-meet up sa isang lugar, nagkakaroon ng challenging [group]," PLT. Ragemer Hermidilla, the Chief Investigator of Batangas City Police Station, said.

The suspect claimed he was defending himself during the confrontation. He said he stabbed the victim on the side with a small blade and the victim reportedly jumped into the river. 

"Eh sinalubungan [niya] po ako [ng] suntok po, eh may dala rin po yata 'yun [na patalim] kaya lumaban din po ako," he said.

The victim’s family did not believe the statement, saying the wound was inflicted on the neck and did not look like it was made in self-defense. 

"Hindi sa lunod namatay, 'yun pong tama dine. Eh di gilit po, opo ginilitan po. Pero wala pong tama sa tagiliran. Mismo sinabi po, mismong kinuwan po dahil in-autopsy namin po eh," the victim's stepfather, said.

The suspect expressed remorse over what happened.

"Nagsisisi po dahil naggawa kong manaksak," he said.