Purple yam tubers, locally called “ube," had caused trouble in Rosario town, Northern Samar that led to the death of a barangay councilman on Christmas night. 

The victim was identified as Teddy Francisco Suano, 55 years old, incumbent councilman of Barangay Aguada in the Municipality of Rosario.

Suano was stabbed reportedly by his neighbor identified as Samuel Ginto Bobier, 44 years old. 

In a report of the Northern Samar Provincial Police Office, the incident took place at around 10 p.m. on December 25, 2023 inside the victim’s house. 

According to Police Captain Mae Ann Erivera, deputy chief and public information officer, the conflict started when the wife of the victim dug up allegedly the yam tubers that had come to grow in the neighbor’s yard after the herbaceous vines crept on to the so-called other side of the fence. 

The wife of the victim cooked allegedly the purple yam tubers and served these as a staple for the traditional “Noche Buena.”

However, Bobier got mad at his neighbors for alleged encroachment into his area.

He vented out his anger at Suano when he chanced upon him on the street outside of the victim’s house. 

He stabbed the councilman who ran for his life toward the house. But Bobier followed him into the house and struck him again. 

The authorities arrested the suspect and seized the bladed weapon he used in the stabbing incident. 

Bobier will be charged for murder.