A 53-year-old man was arrested in Barangay Malinta, Valenzuela City, in connection with a stabbing incident involving his drinking companion that occurred in 1994.

The accused, identified as 'Albino' and listed as a most wanted person, was apprehended by officers from the Warrant and Subpoena Section of the Valenzuela City Police based on a re-issued arrest warrant for frustrated murder.

Judge Mateo Altarejos of Branch 172 of the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court ordered the warrant’s reissuance after it had been previously archived.

Police Major Joey Hizon, Assistant Chief of Police for Operations, said that the warrant was "revived" as courts are actively working to resolve backlogs from older cases.

“Initially, our operatives arrested him for the case of murder, however, upon verification through e-warrant, it was found out that he also has an outstanding warrant for the case of frustrated murder,” Hizon explained.

An investigator from the warrant section said the case stemmed from an altercation during a drinking session. The incident led to the death of the initial victim, while the victim’s sibling was also stabbed but survived — resulting in the additional charge.

Hizon added that Albino’s brother, Pedring, had also been arrested in connection with the case but was later released after the complainant passed away.

In an interview, Albino admitted to the stabbing, but claimed it was an act of self-defense.

“I stabbed him, but the truth is he attacked me first. We were drinking when I called him out as he was using meth, I said that you can’t do it here, and he got mad, and that was when he stabbed me,” he said, showing scars on his arm and stomach.

He claimed he didn’t file a counter complaint at the time because he was focused on recovering from his injuries and was unaware that a case had been filed against him until police served the warrant.

Albino is currently in the custody of the Valenzuela City Police, awaiting the issuance of a commitment order from the court.