Man killed in bar brawl

MANILA, Philippines –  A man was stabbed dead during a bar brawl in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Security guard Semion Labbino Jr., 34, sustained four stab wounds in the left side of the body and one in the back and was declared dead on arrival at the East Avenue Medical Center.

Police Officer 3 Jaime Jimena said they already have a suspect in custody, identified as waiter Jaime Sinanggote, 26.

According to Jimena, the brawl happened at around 2:15 a.m. on the dance floor of a bar at the corner of Quezon Avenue and E. Rodriguez Boulevard in Barangay Dona Josefa.

Labbino was drinking with two friends at the bar, and Sinanggote was with four friends. Both groups were already drunk when they started dancing. Police said the constant pushing and shoving on the dance floor may have triggered the brawl.

Jimena said Sinanggote claimed that he used the knife since the victim and his friends threatened to harm him. Security personnel at the bar were able to stop the fight and arrested Sinanggote, who was still holding the knife when the victim fell.