Korean hurt in knife attack

MANILA, Philippines - A Korean man was rushed to the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City after he was allegedly stabbed by his Filipino driver early Thursday at the Blue Wave Commercial Center along Diosdado Macapagal Avenue.

Case investigator SPO1 Genomar Geraldino said the victim, Young Jun Lee, was taken to the hospital by a passing taxi driver after he was seen crossing the boulevard bleeding at about 4:50 a.m.

Young, a resident of the Solemare Parksuites condominium in Paranaque City, is now in stable condition after sustaining stab wounds in the right chest and left arm.

Geraldino said a blodied 9-inch fan knife was found by police inside the victim's black Toyota Fortuner sports utility vehicle (UJQ-459). Police are now tracking down the suspect, the victim's driver identified as Froilan Escarmoso.

Initial police investigation showed that before the stabbing, Young was supposed to meet his girlfriend Raquel Mateo who promised to return half of the P4.4 million in cash she allegedly took from him two weeks ago.

Geraldino said based on the victim's account, he (Young) was waiting inside the SUV for Mateo to arrive when he told Escarmoso that he would have her arrested if she would not appear and return his stolen money.

It was at this point that Escarmoso allegedly drew the knife and attacked Young, who managed to escape and ran away. Escarmoso then fled on foot, police said.

Further investigation by Geraldino showed that Escarmoso is a cousin of Young's former girlfriend identified as Myra Buenaventura.

"We are looking at the angle that Escarmoso is in cahoots with Mateo and that he attacked Young after he said he would have Mateo arrested," said Geraldino.