Tricycle driver survives attempted stabbing in Laoag

A 76-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly attempted to stab a tricycle driver following a heated argument at a tricycle terminal in Barangay 11, Laoag City, on Tuesday morning, 4 August.

According to the Laoag City Police Station, officers responded to a reported commotion at around 11 a.m. at the Petro Gazz Group TODA terminal along P. Gomez Street.

Police identified the victim as a 35-year-old married tricycle driver from Barangay 55-C, Vira, Laoag City. The suspect is a 76-year-old single resident of Barangay 11.

Investigation showed that the incident began at around 10:30 a.m. when the suspect was sitting on a monobloc chair inside the terminal. The victim, who was waiting in the designated queue with his tricycle, allegedly asked the suspect to move because he was blocking the queuing area.

The request reportedly angered the suspect, who allegedly hurled insults at the victim before leaving the terminal. He later returned carrying a kitchen knife.

Police said the suspect approached the victim with the knife, prompting the latter to flee. The victim, however, slipped and fell, allowing the suspect to allegedly attempt to stab him. The victim managed to evade the attack and escaped unharmed.

Responding police officers arrested the suspect at the scene after he was identified by the victim.

Authorities recovered a 13-inch kitchen knife, measured from tip to handle, believed to have been used in the incident.

Police said the altercation stemmed from a misunderstanding. Charges of attempted homicide are being prepared against the suspect.