A 41-year-old laborer was killed after he was allegedly stabbed by a co-worker following an earlier confrontation in Magapo-1, Barangay Central, Mati City, Davao Oriental, on Tuesday afternoon, September 15, 2026.
The victim was identified by the Mati City Police Station as Warren Atis Gastanes, 41, single, a laborer, and a resident of Mati City.
Police said the stabbing occurred shortly after 5:00 p.m. in the vicinity of Purok Magapo-1. Gastanes reportedly sustained multiple stab wounds and was declared dead at the scene.
Earlier confrontation reportedly preceded stabbing
Based on the initial police investigation, Gastanes and the suspect had earlier engaged in a confrontation at the Mati Fish Port.
Witness accounts cited in reports from the area said the dispute escalated when the victim was allegedly punched by the suspect. The confrontation reportedly continued, with the suspect allegedly chasing Gastanes and attempting to throw a stone at him.
Gastanes reportedly managed to run away from the area, while the suspect left aboard a motorcycle.
However, several minutes later, the two reportedly encountered each other again in Magapo-1.
It was during the second confrontation that the suspect allegedly attacked Gastanes with a knife, repeatedly stabbing him until he collapsed.
Police immediately conducted a follow-up operation that resulted in the arrest of the suspect.
Authorities have not publicly released the suspect’s identity or provided a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
Incident reportedly captured on video
A video of the confrontation and stabbing has also circulated on social media.
The footage reportedly shows the victim and the suspect grappling with each other and struggling over a bladed weapon during the confrontation. Separate CCTV footage reportedly captured the suspect riding a motorcycle.
Authorities are expected to examine the video and CCTV footage as part of the investigation and evidence-gathering process.
The circulation of the footage online has also drawn attention to the fatal incident, although authorities have yet to publicly establish the complete sequence of events solely from the videos.
Family seeks justice
Gastanes’ family is now seeking justice for his death.
Relatives described him as one of the people they relied upon for their daily livelihood, making his sudden death particularly difficult for the family.
The Mati City Police continue to investigate the incident, including the circumstances of the earlier confrontation at the fish port, the subsequent encounter in Magapo-1, and the events immediately preceding the stabbing.
The case is expected to undergo further investigation and appropriate legal proceedings against the arrested suspect.
Authorities are also expected to determine the exact number and nature of the victim’s injuries, the weapon allegedly used in the attack, and other evidence that may establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.