Man stabbed dead over cell phone refund

MANILA, Philippines - An argument over the equal sharing of refund for a sold defective cellular phone by two friends led to the fatal stabbing of one early yesterday in Tondo, Manila. Angelito Co, 23, a buy and sell agent of second hand cellphones, died while being treated at the Mary Johnston Hospital for two stab wounds at the back and breast. His alleged assailant, a certain Rogel, also a buy and sell agent, escaped after the stabbing.

Investigation showed Co and his group were able to sell a defective second hand cell phone to a woman buyer who complained to the police. The woman, however, withdrew her complaint and agreed to an amicable settlement if the group would refund the amount of P950.

Co asked the group members to give P50 each to cover the refund to the consternation of the suspect which ended in a heated altercation. Cooler heads prevented the two from coming to blows.

At around 3 a.m. the suspect reportedly entered the victim’s shanty along Juan Luna corner Padre Rada streets and stabbed the unaware victim. The victim’s father, Romeo, reportedly saw the suspect running away from the scene of the crime. – Nestor Etolle