Man fatally stabbed in bar brawl

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — Two cousins were arrested for allegedly stabbing a 21-year-old man to death during a drunken altercation in Barangay 4, Silay City, Negros Occidental, police said Wednesday.

The victim, identified as Ryan Flores, 21, of Barangay Mambulac, was involved in a separate drinking session in a restaurant bar with his 13 companions, mostly teenagers, when the altercation occurred, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Anthony Darroca, the city police chief.

The incident escalated when 26-year-old Ricky Ogawa, a senior high school student, allegedly accosted and punched Flores. “The victim retaliated, leading to a commotion, also involving his companions and Ogawa’s cousin, 29-year-old Emilowe Delumpa,” Darroca explained.

Ogawa reportedly stabbed Flores in the lower abdomen. Flores was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to three stab wounds.

“The suspects initially fled the scene but returned later to retrieve their motorcycle, which led to their arrest,” Darroca said.

Homicide charges are pending against Ogawa and Delumpa, who also sustained injuries during the incident.