A 62-year-old farmer was arrested Sunday night after allegedly stabbing a fellow farmer twice following an argument in a village in Caba town, La Union province.

Police responded around 8:30 p.m. and took custody of the suspect, who had already been detained by two village watchmen.

According to an initial investigation, the suspect had been drinking alcohol with neighbors at a nearby store after work before heading to a nearby wake.

Police said the suspect later returned to the store to retrieve a forgotten umbrella, where he encountered the 45-year-old victim.

An argument broke out between the two men and quickly escalated into a fight. During the altercation, the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim in the abdomen, police said.

When the victim attempted to flee, he slipped and fell, allowing the suspect to pursue him and stab him a second time in the back. Witnesses intervened and separated the men.

A local rescue unit brought the victim to Caba District Hospital, but he was later transferred to the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City due to the severity of his injuries.

The suspect remains in police custody as investigators interview witnesses and gather evidence to file criminal charges.