Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Wednesday morning, September 24, presented to the public the suspect in the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy during the September 21 riots in the city.
The incident occured at the intersection of C.M. Recto Avenue and Quezon Boulevard, where violence broke out amid mass protests.
Authorities identified the suspect as Richard Francisco, 52, a watch technician who owns a small shop in the area.
Police said Francisco claimed he acted to protect his property when a group of minors allegedly attempted to damage establishments during the disturbance.
Armed with a case knife, he confronted the rioters, fatally stabbing Grade 10 student Chustin Serbo y Ignacio of Barangay Rizal, Taguig City.
Francisco voluntarily surrendered to the Barbosa Police Station in Quiapo, Manila, shortly after the incident. He was apprised of his constitutional rights but chose to remain silent.
Following standard procedure, he underwent medical examination at the Ospital ng Sampaloc before being turned over to the Manila Police District (MPD) Homicide Section for proper disposition.
Speaking during a press conference at Bulwagang Katipunan inside City Hall, Domagoso expressed grief over the loss of another young life.
“Nalulungkot ako na may isa na namang magulang ang umiiyak ngayon. Masakit mawalan ng anak,” the mayor said, as he offered condolences to Serbo’s family.
He also urged young people to listen to their parents’ guidance to avoid tragedies during mass actions.
“Mga bata, ang magulang niyo walang masamang iisipin para sa inyo. Makinig kayo. Kaya pinapanawagan ko, ‘wag tayo magpadalos-dalos, sayang ang buhay, sayang ang kinabukasan. Makinig kayo sa magulang niyo,” the Mayor said.
Domagoso also reminded residents not to take the law into their own hands, no matter how difficult the circumstances.
“It turned out it’s an ordinary citizen trying to protect his property and afraid of his life, caught in the middle of a chaotic and unruly riot,” he said.
“I know, mahirap, lalo na kung gusto mong proteksyunan ang iyong sarili at iyong naipundar. But buhay, hindi na natin maibabalik,” Domagoso said, lamenting that the case had led to one death and another life wasted behind bars.
With the suspect’s voluntary surrender, Domagoso said the case had been “closed and resolved immediately.”
The suspect, meanwhile, was quoted as saying: “Nabigla lang ako, hindi ko sadya,” when asked about the stabbing.
