* Fermen Sandoy Flores, 57, was arrested in Barangay Magsico, San Fernando, Cebu, after allegedly stabbing 44-year-old construction worker Juan Baritos Sebial to death at around 1:10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026.
* A witness in the well-lit area saw the suspect slash the sleeping victim's neck and identified Flores, who police arrested during a hot pursuit operation in the same barangay at around 11:20 a.m.
* Police reported both men had been drinking at a local fiesta, with investigators noting Flores may have grown angry after an intoxicated Sebial allegedly became unruly, and a murder case is now being prepared.
A 56-YEAR-OLD man was arrested in a hot pursuit operation after reportedly stabbing a man to death in Barangay Magsico, San Fernando, Cebu, at around 1:10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026.
The victim was identified by the San Fernando Municipal Police Station as Juan Baritos Sebial, 44, a construction worker and resident of Barangay Balungag, San Fernando.
Police said Sebial had come from the annual fiesta celebration in Barangay Magsico of the same town and was reportedly drunk when he fell asleep outside a store while on his way home.
While Sebial was asleep, the suspect allegedly approached him and slashed his neck with a sharp knife before fleeing.
Suspect’s identity
A witness told police that he clearly saw the suspect because the area outside the store was well-lit. The witness also saw Sebial get up and run unsteadily along the road before collapsing about 120 meters from the store.
The witness identified the suspect as Fermen Sandoy Flores, 57, a resident of Barangay Magsico. Police immediately launched a hot pursuit operation and arrested Flores in the same barangay at around 11:20 a.m.
Police said Flores had also been drinking while residents were celebrating the fiesta before the incident.
An investigator said Sebial and Flores knew each other and that Flores may have become angry after Sebial allegedly became unruly while intoxicated.
Flores remains in police custody as the San Fernando Municipal Police Station prepares a murder case against him. / AYB
