Man kills neighbor over 'rugby'

MANILA, Philippines - A 31-year-old man was arrested by the police yesterday hours after he stabbed dead a 20-year-old neighbor after the victim refused to give him his share of airplane glue, popularly known as “rugby,” they bought to make them “high” in Tondo, Manila yesterday.

A visibly dejected Marcelino Saltarin, who was still high from sniffing rugby, told police he could not explain why he stabbed his friend and neighbor, Joval Benitez.

“All I remember is that I was asking my share of the rugby that we bought,” he told The STAR in Filipino while squatting at the far end corner of his detention cell.

Senior Police Officer 2 Edmundo Cabal said Benitez and Saltarin were observed by neighbors sniffing rugby at parked tricycle, when all of a sudden they were overheard having an argument.

Moments later Saltarin was seen going to his house and coming out holding a kitchen knife. Witnesses said Saltarin approached Benitez and, without a word, stabbed him in the chest. The victim reportedly tried to chase the suspect but fell to the ground, gasping for breath.

Benitez was declared dead on arrival at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital, while Saltarin admitted throwing the knife as he ran away from the crime scene.

Murder charges have been filed against the suspect.