Two men were arrested after a stabbing incident left two individuals injured at a restaurant in Laoag City early Saturday, 18 July.

Police identified the victims as a 34-year-old resident of Laoag City and a 36-year-old resident of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. The suspects, aged 29 and 23, are both residents of Laoag City.

Initial investigation by the Laoag City Police Station showed that the victims were waiting for their food order at Master Tapsilogan at around 5 a.m. when the suspects allegedly approached them.

Authorities said one of the suspects suddenly punched one of the victims before allegedly stabbing him in the lower back with a screwdriver. During the commotion, the second victim reportedly grabbed a monoblock chair and attempted to fend off the suspects but was allegedly stabbed in the left leg with the same weapon.

The suspects fled the scene, while the injured victims were rushed to the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Police said the altercation was allegedly triggered by a misunderstanding, with the suspects believed to have been under the influence of alcohol.

A hot pursuit operation led to the arrest of both suspects at Café Luc in Laoag City after they were positively identified by the victims. Appropriate charges are being prepared against them.

In a separate operation later that day, a 38-year-old construction worker was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the San Nicolas Municipal Police Station in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 1 and other law enforcement units.

The operation, carried out from 7:20 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in San Nicolas, resulted in the seizure of approximately one gram of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of ₱6,800.

Authorities also recovered the marked ₱1,000 buy-bust money, two cigarette lighters, a cigarette box, and a blue keypad mobile phone from the suspect.

Police said the seized items were marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the suspect and the required witnesses, in accordance with legal procedures.

The suspect is expected to face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.