By Jennifer P. Rendon
An 18-year-old boy died after he was stabbed by another teenager late evening of September 3, 2023 in Lambunao, Iloilo.
The victim, Jio Lozada of Barangay Daanbanwa, Lambunao, succumbed to a lone injury on the right side of his chest.
He was rushed to Dr. Ricardo L. Ladrido District Hospital in Lambunao town where he was declared dead at 11:46 p.m. Sunday.
According to reports, Lozada was with three other friends at the food court area of the Lambunao town plaza when the incident happened around 10:50 p.m.
While the group was loitering in the area, the suspect, 18-year-old Proyland Lebuna of Barangay Poblacion Ilawod, Lambunao, and his girlfriend passed by.
Lozada and his group allegedly accosted the suspect. The suspect and victim eventually traded punches.
It didn’t take long for Lozada’s friends to join the fight and gang up on Lebuna.
Major Jogen Suegay, Lambunao police chief, said the suspect was cornered while his girlfriend witnessed the incident.
The suspect claimed he had no choice but to pull his knife and defend himself.
Lebuna immediately fled but responding police arrested him.
Suegay said a homicide case was filed against the suspect on Tuesday, September 5.
It will be up to Lebuna if he would also pursue a case against Lozada’s three companions, he added.
Suegay said Lozada and Lebuna had old grudges but he did not elaborate further.
