A 52-year-old watch repairman who fatally stabbed a 15-year-old student during the Sept. 21 riots in Quiapo has claimed he acted out of fear after feeling threatened by a group of young individuals allegedly vandalizing motorcycles near his stall.

The incident took place at the intersection of C.M. Recto Avenue and Quezon Boulevard, where violent disturbances broke out during mass protests.

The suspect, identified as Richard Francisco, a resident of Tondo was presented to the public by Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Sept. 24.

The victim was identified as a Grade 10 student from Barangay Rizal, Taguig City.

According to the police, Francisco said he saw a group of minors toppling motorcycles near his stall and believed they were moving toward his location.

He claimed he panicked and used a small bladed tool, typically used in his work, to stab the victim when the teen allegedly came close.

A video circulating online shows the victim kicking a motorcycle before Francisco, already holding a bladed weapon, approached and stabbed him on the side.

The victim fled the scene but later died from the injury.

Francisco voluntarily surrendered to the Barbosa Police Station (PS-14) on Sept. 22, accompanied by his son and an intelligence personnel.

Domagoso expressed grief over the loss of another young life.

“Nalulungkot ako na may isa na namang magulang ang umiiyak ngayon. Masakit mawalan ng anak (I am saddened that another parent is crying today. It is painful to lose a child),” the mayor said, as he offered condolences to Serbo’s family.

He also urged young people to heed their parents’ guidance to avoid tragedies during mass gatherings.

"Mga bata, ang magulang niyo walang masamang iisipin para sa inyo. Makinig kayo. Kaya pinapanawagan ko, 'wag tayo magpadalos-dalos, sayang ang buhay, sayang ang kinabukasan. Makinig kayo sa magulang niyo (Kids, your parents will never think of anything bad for you. Listen to them. That’s why I’m calling on you, don’t act recklessly. Life is precious, the future is precious. Listen to your parents)," the Mayor said.

Domagoso also reminded residents not to take the law into their own hands, regardless of the circumstances.

“It turned out it’s an ordinary citizen trying to protect his property and afraid for his life, was caught in the middle of a chaotic and unruly riot,” he said.

“I know, mahirap, lalo na kung gusto mong proteksyunan ang iyong sarili at iyong naipundar. But buhay, hindi na natin maibabalik (I know, it's difficult, especially when you want to protect yourself and what you’ve worked hard for. But life, once lost, can never be brought back),” Domagoso said, lamenting that the case had led to one death and another life wasted behind bars.

With the suspect's voluntary surrender, Domagoso said the case had been “closed and resolved immediately.”

The suspect, meanwhile, was quoted as saying: “Nabigla lang ako, hindi ko sadya (I was just caught off guard, I didn’t mean to),” when asked about the stabbing.

Authorities have not confirmed whether the victim was actively involved in the vandalism or was merely present during the incident.

Related story: https://mb.com.ph/2025/09/24/suspect-in-quiapo-stabbing-surrenders-to-police