Mere hours after his team’s fifth straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Alaska Aces rookie Jeron Teng, along with two former La Salle teammates, were rushed to the hospital after being stabbed on Sunday.
Teng and Norbert and Thomas Torres had been walking outside Early Night Club in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, at 2:30 a.m. when two intoxicated men tried to grab their attention, police said.
“Witnesses said the suspects were calling out to them, ‘Idol!’” said Director Guillermo Eleazar, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
READ: Jeron Teng, 2 ex-La Salle players stabbed in BGC; suspects arrested
The three players, who all gained a fair measure of fame during their time at La Salle, appeared to ignore the suspects, US citizen Edmar Lacanlale, 40, and Williard Basili, 37, according to Eleazar.
Witnesses said the suspects then began to hurl invectives at Teng and Norbert and Thomas Torres, who had also been drinking, and even allegedly “cursing their girlfriends.”
A report by the head of the BGC police, Chief Insp. Joseph Austria, said a heated argument and brawl ensued, which lasted about two minutes before police rushed to the scene—where Norbert had been stabbed on his left arm, and Teng and Thomas had sustained multiple stab wounds on their bodies.
The three victims were brought to St. Luke’s Medical Center in BGC, where Teng and Thomas remained on Sunday afternoon in stable condition. Norbert, who plays for Rain or Shine in the PBA, was released after receiving 11 stitches.
The suspects were immediately arrested outside the neon-lit, candy-colored club, and will be charged at the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office with criminal cases of frustrated homicide and physical injuries.
LOOK: Sketch of the ring knife allegedly used to stab Jeron Teng and Norberto and Thomas Torres early this morning, outside Early Night Club, BGC. The actual weapon has not yet been recovered. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/GhLDgkftIK
— Matthew Reysio-Cruz (@MatthewINQ) June 3, 2018
A ring knife, wielded by Basili, had allegedly been used during the scuffle, Eleazar said. Police were unable to recover it after the suspects’ arrest.
“This type of knife is really for fighting, for self-defense,” the NCRPO chief said. “It should not be brought by anyone into public places, especially those serving intoxicating beverages.”
Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario Jr., Southern Police District director, said round-the-clock police would be permanently stationed now at Fort Strip, the upscale row of bars in BGC where the stabbing occurred.
“We cannot inspect everything, especially these types of pocket knives that can even be slipped under socks,” Apolinario said. “But having roving personnel in the area will be a deterrent.”
NCRPO chief, Director Guillermo Eleazar, says this type of knife is “intended for a fistfight” and “should not have been brought by anyone into public places, especially those serving intoxicating beverages.” pic.twitter.com/cBOphZrDqr
— Matthew Reysio-Cruz (@MatthewINQ) June 3, 2018
Police added that they were coordinating with Early Night Club to study closed-circuit television footage of the area during the incident.
“Drinking isn’t against the law. It was already 2 a.m., what would you expect?” Eleazar said.
“But when you drink, let the alcohol flow to your stomach, not your head. Otherwise it will lead to these kinds of incidents,” he added.
Police are still studying the background of the two suspects, who Eleazar said were “both considered to be residing or frequenting abroad.”
He added that police would recommend a hold departure order be issued by the Department of Justice against Lacanlale, a general construction contractor, and Basili, a construction inspector.
VIDEO: Altercation between the group of Jeron Teng, stabbing suspects outside a club in BGC.
STORY: https://t.co/H23F0T8xdf pic.twitter.com/1lqBZGkoy9
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) June 3, 2018