A 31-year-old man was stabbed to death by his sparring partner in drinking liquor on Thursday night in Sta. Mesa, Manila after he refused to buy the suspect a cigarette.

Police identified the victim as Kenneth Ibardolaza, a store helper, who died while undergoing treatment at the San Juan Medical Center due to multiple stab wounds in the chest and back.

Initial reports from the Manila Police District Homicide Section disclosed that the victim was having a drinking session with the suspect only known as "Apang" beside the railroad tracks when Ibasco told Ibardolaza to buy him a cigarette at 5:30 p.m.

Ibardolaza refused, feeling insulted, which led to a verbal altercation. The suspect then drew a bladed weapon and attacked Ibardolaza.

Despite being wounded, Ibardolaza ran away, but the suspect chased him and caught him. The suspect then stabbed Ibardolaza in the back.