BAGUIO CITY – A 21-year old bar worker died while two pocket miners were injured after they were allegedly stabbed by still unidentified knife-wielding individuals while waiting for a ride home along Assumption Road, here, Monday dawn.
Police Col. Allen Rae F. Co, City Director of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), identified the fatality as James Paul Ngol-lob Papay, 21, single, an employee of a bar and native of Talubin, Bontoc, Mountain Province but is presently residing at Irisan, Baguio City while he named the injured individuals as Michael Busacay Baniaga, single, miner and a resident of Dalicno, Itogon, Benguet and Liam Floyd Busacay Marrero, 19, single, miner and also a resident of Dalicno, Itogon, Benguet.
Initial police investigation showed that the victims came from a one of the night spots along the nearby Mabini Street and after their drinking session, they transferred to another bar along Assumption Road where they reportedly consumed one bottle of beer each.
After consuming their drinks, the trio decided to go home but while they were waiting for a taxi, they saw a commotion outside wherein the suspect of the said incident suddenly went to where they were positioned and repeatedly stabbed them.
Concerned passers-by immediately rushed the trio to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) for medical treatment but Papay expired while undergoing close medical supervision because of number of stab wound on the different parts of his body.
The suspect was able to escape from the crime scene but is now the subject of a manhunt operation by responding police operatives.
Probers are gathering testimonies of witnesses and vital pieces of evidence that could lead to the identity of the suspect so that he will be arrested and be charged for homicide and double frustrated homicide due to the crime he committed.
By Dexter A. See
