Pedicab driver stabs brother-in-law

A 33-year-old pedicab driver stabbed dead his brother-in-law over an argument last night in Malate, Manila, while a suspected thrill killer was nabbed by barangay tanods in Sta. Mesa on same day.

SPO2 Virgo Villareal, investigator of both cases, had filed murder charges on suspects Samuel Aranquiz, of 1931 F. Muñoz st., Malate, Manila, and Joan Salazar, alias Jonathan, 24, a truck helper of Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Villareal said Aranquiz surrendered to chairman Rommel Carreon of Barangay 738, Zone 80 in San Andres, Malate after stabbing his brother-in-law, Ariel Andres, 29. Witnesses said the two had an argument which later led to a fistfight. Aranquiz reportedly later on pulled out a knife and repeatedly stabbed Andres.

The victim was rushed to the Philippine General Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival due to stab wounds in the chest and nape.

Villareal said the suspect refused to state the motive for the killing.

Meanwhile, Salazar, an alleged thrill killer, was positively identified by several witnesses as the person who attacked and stabbed a stay-in truck helper in Sta. Mesa, Manila for no apparent reason recently.

Witnesses said the victim, Aries Reyes, 20, was sleeping on an improvised hammock under a truck at the compound of the Chinos Yard at 3385 Luberan st., Sta. Mesa, when the suspect approached and repeatedly stabbed him. Reyes was brought to the Lourdes Hospital by bystanders but was declared dead on arrival due to multiple stab wounds.

Villareal said he was informed that the suspect had also figured in a stabbing rampage in Cavite a few months back. A number of residents in Sta. Mesa said Salazar was known to attack anybody with a knife every time he gets drunk.