2 dead, 1 hurt in attacks by drunk men

MANILA, Philippines - Two persons were killed and another was hurt in two separate attacks by drunk men in Valenzuela and Quezon City Saturday.

In the first incident, three drunk men reportedly stabbed dead a vendor and wounded his wife when they were on their way home after visiting a relative in Barangay Paso de Blas at around 1:30 a.m.

Roger Gonzaga, 37, was driving a tricycle with his wife, Luz, 27, and their seven-year-old child as passengers when Jeric Cuaresma, Alvin Manuel and Jon-Jon Ignacio allegedly blocked their path and started attacking them along Luis Road, Senior Police Officer 1 Ray Bragado said.

Police said Cuaresma stabbed Roger in the shoulder, prompting Luz to aid her husband. She was stabbed in the right hand.

To protect his wife and child, Roger alighted from the tricycle and ran away, taunting the suspects to follow him. The suspects cornered Roger, stabbed him, then fled.

Bragado said that the suspects were immediately arrested and police officers seized from Manuel a .38 caliber revolver with two bullets. The knives used in the attack could not be found, he said.

The suspects would be charged with murder, frustrated homicide and illegal possession of firearm.

In Quezon City, Florendeliza dela Cruz, 35, was walking along Area 5 in Barangay Bagong Silangan when she was stabbed, reportedly by Boboy dela Peña, who was drunk at the time, SPO1 Pascual Fabreag said.

He said Dela Cruz was declared dead on arrival at the nearby Malvar Hospital after sustaining stab wounds in the chest.

According to initial reports, Dela Cruz had an argument with her partner, identified only as Anthony, who left the house to prevent the argument from escalating. Dela Cruz followed him and it was at this point she was attacked.

Dela Pena fled following the incident.