A robbery convict is now in police custody after allegedly stabbing his disabled friend to death during a confrontation that broke out over drinks in Quezon City, authorities said.
Police Lieutenant June Abogado, who is handling the case, said investigators traced the suspect quickly through cooperation from witnesses and the man’s own relatives. “Through the help of witnesses and his relatives—kasi nag-close coordinate na tayo sa relatives niya dahil nakapaghide na siya upon commission of the crime—so doon natin nalaman na sakit na rin pala siya ng pamilya nila,” Abogado said.
The victim, 49-year-old Jose Polvorosa Mitra, was rushed to East Avenue Medical Center but was pronounced dead at 1:37 a.m., according to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD). A funeral parlor’s initial assessment placed the number of stab wounds at 21, the family said.
The 39-year-old suspect, referred to by police as alias “Dagol,” fled the scene and headed to the capital. According to ABS-CBN News, officers backtracked his movements and coordinated with the Manila Police District, leading to his arrest the following day in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Abogado said the killing stemmed from an argument during a drinking session. “Nagkaroon tayo ng stabbing incident that resulted [of his death] last July 7, mga 12:30 ng madaling araw dahil doon sa pagtatalo [niya] saka ni alias ‘Dagol’,” he said. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on July 7 at the corner of AFP Road and Guerilla Road in Barangay Holy Spirit.
The victim’s aunt, Carmen Polvorosa, said a concerned resident first alerted the family. “May pumunta ditong mamá e, na concern din, na si Manok nga daw [ay] sinaksak so nagtakbuhan kami papunta sa labas,” she said. She recounted that the two had been drinking but were not heavily intoxicated, and that the quarrel began over a claim that someone intended to harm “Dagol.” “Nagmumurahan na sila, yung siguro nagkainitan po. Pinalo ng bote sa ulo… hanggang sa nakatakbo pa po siya, saklay-saklay, tapos doon siya bumagsak sa AFP Road,” she said.
Polvorosa said her nephew relied on crutches after a work accident he sustained as a mechanic. He leaves behind a five-year-old child who relatives plan to care for, and the family is appealing for financial assistance to cover burial costs.
Police records show the suspect previously faced a robbery charge. “Nalaman natin na meron na siyang dating previous case na robbery noong 2017… almost four years yata daw siya nakulong base rin po sa kanya,” Abogado said. He acknowledged that the absence of CCTV coverage in the area had complicated the investigation.
Barangay Holy Spirit, through Desk Officer Ami Morrow, urged residents to steer clear of confrontations while drinking. “Iwasan lagi ang makipag-inuman sa kahit na kaibigan at iwasan kung ano man yung mga salitang hindi maganda para sa kapwa,” Morrow said.
