Tondo bash turns tragic; agent killed

An otherwise happy occasion among drinking buddies turned tragic when a free-for-all erupted, resulting in the killing of one and wounding of two celebrants past midnight yesterday in Tondo, Manila.

Killed on the spot from a stab wound in the body was Andy Aligado, 22, a buy-and-sell agent. His attacker, who was also stabbed during the fray, was identified as Edmundo Serrano, 29, a fish vendor. He sustained only a superficial wound in the body.

Also wounded was Domingo Tumangil Jr., a pedicab driver. Police said Tumangil, due to drunkenness, accidentally wounded himself with an icepick he was carrying.

Investigation conducted by PO3 Joselito de Ocampo showed the incident happened at the second floor of Building A, Unit 203 of Vitas, Katipunan, Tondo.

De Ocampo said several male residents of the building started to drink at around 10 p.m. The drinking continued until 2 a.m. when the drinkers started to talk about their grudges against each other.

The discussion turned nasty and Tumangil, who was arguing with Serrano, pulled out an icepick and stabbed the latter in the left side of the body. The attack triggered a free-for-all.

Witnesses said Serrano also pulled out a fan knife and attacked everybody in sight, hitting Aligado in the chest.

The fray was finally subdued with the arrival of barangay tanods and policemen. Tumangil was apprehended while trying to flee, with his own icepick still embedded in his shoulder.

Witnesses said Tumangil was so drunk he stumbled, causing the icepick he was holding to pierce his shoulder.

Charges of attempted murder were filed against Tumangil for stabbing Serrano, while the latter was charged with homicide for the death of Aligado. – Nestor Etolle