A 17-year-old boy accused of killing a man with down syndrome in Camiguin was arrested.

The victim identified as “Johnrey,” 38, was found dead with a stab wound in the chest in Barangay Panghiawan, Catarman town last week.

Authorities said the victim had attended a disco but failed to return home.

The victim was laid to rest on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

“Sakit gyud sa pagkakaron, sakit gyud kayo. Dili pa gyud nato dali madawat labi na sa akong ginikanan, sa akong mga (banay),” victim’s brother, Peter Jhon Ajan, said.

Police arrested the suspect on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. He was also reportedly at the disco on the night of the incident and allegedly stabbed the victim.

Based on investigation, the suspect initially came forward as a witness but later admitted that he stabbed the victim after he was allegedly hit in the back during the disco.

“Ang maong suspetsado gihapak kuno sa likod sa biktima and sa iyang pagpauli tungod sa iyang kahubog nakita niya ang biktima nga naglakaw pud sa dalan ug didto kining gituklod sa pagkatumba sa biktima iya dayun kining gidunggab kausa,” Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) Spokesperson, Major Joann Navarro, said.

However, the victim’s family rejected the suspect’s claim, saying they do not believe the victim would hurt anyone.

“Dili mi katuo nga mao ang iyang rason, so mao na lang na ang iyang gi-alibi nga rason pero dili gyud na siya mao ang rason kay kabalo gyud mi sa among magulang nga dili to siya kabalo mag-ingon ana,” Ajan said.

The suspect is facing murder charges. He is now under the custody of the Camiguin Youth Welfare Home.