A 21-year-old man died while being treated at the hospital after being stabbed by a neighbor in Barangay Biec, Binmaley, Pangasinan.

The victim was identified as Mc Luther Mendoza, 21. The suspect is identified as Richard Gutierrez, 42.

The altercation, which occurred after Mendoza arrived home intoxicated, escalated into violence.

"Ang biktima ay dumating na nakainom, siya ay gumawa ng trouble at nagkaroon sila ng mainit na pagtatalo ng suspek," PLT. Ronaldo Aquino, Deputy Chief of Binmaley Police Station, said.

The incident reportedly occurred during an argument between Mendoza and his partner. Gutierrez intervened, but the situation worsened.

"Bakit kasi lumapit pa si Richard, [at] nakialam pa siya? Nagsangsangan na sila ng masasakit na salita hanggang sa humantong na [sa pananaksak]," Christian Gutierrez, the victim's partner, said.

Marilou Mendoza, the victim's mother, expressed her grief.

"Kami ang namatayan, sana maabot ng hustisya ang aking anak at pagdusahan niya [ng suspek] ang ginawa niya sa aking anak. Nawalan ako ng anak dahil sa kanya," she said.

Gutierrez was arrested by the police, and the knife used in the crime was recovered.

In his defense, Gutierrez said he only went out to stop the victim and his partner from fighting but the situation got out of hand.

"Pinsan ko ‘yung bakla. Palagi silang nag-aaway, nung kumakain ako lumabas ako para pigilan sila... hindi ko talaga sinasadyang nangyari," he said.

Gutierrez has been charged with homicide.