Man kills pal in defense of pet monkey

A 20-year-old laborer, in an apparent act to defend his beloved monkey, stabbed to death at dawn yesterday his drinking buddy who tried to harm the pet during a drinking spree at Block 4, Asuncion Road, Greater Lagro in Quezon City.

Police identified the suspect as Joel Zamora, 20, a construction worker, while the victim, who died upon arrival at the FEU Hospital in Fairview, was identified as Eduardo Patugalan, 28 a resident of Sitio Talayan, Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

Initial investigation showed that Zamora and Patugalan had been enjoying a drinking bout that lasted up to the 3 a.m. For still unknown reasons, the victim pulled out a knife and tried to stab the suspect’s pet monkey, which was sleeping nearby.

Angered by the attempt to harm his pet, Zamora pulled out his own knife and repeatedly stabbed Patugalan.

Central Police District operatives are now hunting down the suspect, who fled on foot after the incident. – Perseus Echeminada