Wake ends up in fatal stabbing

A wake in Tondo, Manila, early yesterday ended in tragedy after a house painter was stabbed to death by his drinking buddy.

Investigation conducted by the homicide section of the Western Police District identified the victim as Jovito Ponferrada, 40, of 36 Coral Street, Tondo. The suspect, Vicente Hirro, 30, fled after the incident and is now being hunted by police.

According to homicide detectives, prior to the incident, Ponferrada and Hirro were drinking with a group of men at the wake of a member of the Martinez family at 39 Laurel Street at about 12:45 a.m.

Police said that while they were drinking, Ponferrada and Hirro got into a heated verbal tussle. The tussle led to a fistfight which soon ended after they were pacified by the other drinkers. Later, police said, Ponferrada left the wake to go home. Unknown to him, he was followed by Hirro as he was walking along Laurel Street.

Police said Hirro approached Ponferrada from behind and stabbed the victim several times in the body.– Mike Frialde