A 70-year-old man was stabbed in the stomach by his own brother-in-law in Barangay Navaluan, Mangaldan, Pangasinan after stepping in to defend his sister from domestic abuse.

The victim, identified as Herohito Sungcuan, had traveled to Mangaldan from Manila to confront his brother-in-law, Andres Abrio, for hurting his wife allegedly whenever he was drunk.

Rose Abrio, Andres's wife, is Herohito's sister.

According to the family, Andres often hurt his wife, and the violence was witnessed by other siblings.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa kuya ko kasi talagang mahal niya ako. Siya ang panganay namin, para na namin siyang tatay. Ang gusto ko lang, gumaling siya,” Rose said.

During one of Andres’ drinking sessions, he approached Herohito and stabbed him in the stomach reportedly.

“Lasing na naman siya tapos akala namin hindi niya gagawin ‘yun. Pero ginawa niya eh. Nagsabi pa siya na isusunod ako — may banta na siya,” Josephine Sungcuan, another sibling of Herohito, said.

The victim was rushed to the hospital and is set to undergo surgery. Meanwhile, the suspect surrendered to the police.

“Sinampahan na siya ng kaso. Frustrated homicide. Na-inquest na natin ang kaso,” PLtCol. Perlito Tuayan, Chief of Mangaldan Police Station, said.

The suspect expressed remorse and apologized to his wife and the brother-in-law he stabbed.

The Sungcuan family is determined to pursue charges.