A 25-year-old man was stabbed to death following an argument over a seemingly ordinary purchase of buko juice during a fiesta in Barangay San Miguel, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, on September 29, 2026.
Police identified the victim only by the alias “Niki,” while the alleged assailant was identified as 22-year-old “Brando.” Authorities said the incident began while Niki was buying buko juice from a roadside store during the barangay fiesta.
Based on the initial police account, Niki asked Brando whether he was the owner of the store. The question reportedly triggered an argument between the two.
Police said Brando allegedly did not respond and instead suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed Niki on the left side of his waist.
The circumstances following the stabbing remained under investigation. The victim was later found dead at a waiting shed in Barangay San Miguel early on September 30, a day after the incident.
Authorities initially reported finding the body of an unidentified man at the waiting shed, prompting police to respond and begin an investigation. The victim was subsequently identified as Niki, who was allegedly involved in the confrontation the previous night.
Police have launched a hot-pursuit operation for Brando, who remained at large as of the latest information available.
Investigators are continuing to establish the complete sequence of events, including what exactly transpired between the two men before the stabbing and how the victim ended up at the waiting shed.
The case remains under police investigation, and the allegations against the suspect have yet to be tested in court.