IN MOST cultures, staring is rude. In Carcar City in southern Cebu, it almost cost a construction worker his life.
According to Staff Sergeant Chuck Dayuja, investigator of the Carcar City Police Station, 50-year-old Danilo Genayas was drinking alone at a store in Sitio Ibabao, Barangay Perrelos around midnight Sunday, March 26, 2023, when Dan Philip Castañares, a 25-year-old aircon technician, arrived on his motorcycle with a companion.
Dayuja said Castañares, who had been drinking, got upset because Genayas allegedly stared at him. So instead of buying beer, the suspect punched the victim.
Dayuja said Castañares then warned Genayas that if the latter was still there when he returned, he would maul him.
The suspect, who lives in the sitio, was back in 15 minutes. But the victim had not budged and continued to nurse his drink.
This further irked Castañares, who went on to attack Genayas while wearing brass knuckles, Dayuja said.
"Gitabisan man ko niyag mayo, Air! Grabi makatotok siga-siga sa mata akong gikulata (I had to maul him because he glared at me)," the police officer quoted the suspect as saying.
Witnesses said the suspect’s brass knuckles were sharp and pierced the victim’s stomach.
Genayas’ family didn’t report the matter to the police until 8 a.m., or after they brought him to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Center in Cebu City for treatment.
Upon his arrest, Castañares confessed to the crime, saying he was a little drunk when the incident happened, plus he doesn’t like it when people stare at him.
Police are preparing to charge Castañares with frustrated murder. (GPL / PJB)