Teen kills 32-year-old bully

A 16-year-old boy allegedly stabbed dead a 32-year-old helper at the height of a quarrel in Binondo, Manila Friday afternoon.

The suspect, a vulcanizing shop attendant, claimed self-defense in killing Edward Padilla, a helper at a store along Lavezares street in Binondo.

Police said witnesses saw Padilla using a wooden bench to repeatedly hit the boy during a fistfight. At this juncture, the boy got hold of a screwdriver and stabbed the victim twice in the body. Responding barangay watchmen arrested the boy, while the victim was declared dead on arrival at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center.

The boy claimed the victim constantly bullied him “for no apparent reason,” waving a fist at him every time their eyes met.

Before the fistfight, the boy said Padilla approached him and made an obscene gesture, prompting him to ward off the victim’s hand. This angered Padilla, who started beating the boy up. The boy said he tried to fight back but was no match for the much bigger Padilla.

The police will turn the boy over to the Manila Youth Rehabilitation Center since he is a minor. – Nestor Etolle