A 38-year-old government employee in Sual, Pangasinan sustained injuries after he was attacked on New Year’s Day after greeting someone “Happy New Year.”

The man, Franklin Quilla Ico, was sitting by the road around 6:30 p.m. on January 1 when he greeted his acquaintance, Christian Dave Padeos, 27.

Instead of returning the greeting, Padeos picked up a small metal bar and allegedly hit Ico in the head. Ico said he fought back by punching Padeos but the latter also reportedly picked up a stone and hit him with it.

“Bigla po siyang pumulot ng tubong maliit, hindi ako lalaban kako, eh pinukpok sa ulo ko, [kaya] tapos sinuntok ko siya. Tapos pumulot siya ulit ng bato, nabagsak na po ako noon,” recounted Ico.

After allegedly hitting Ico with a stone and choking him, Padeos fled the scene.

Authorities later arrested Padeos. He refused to comment.

Both men were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, according to Sual Police OIC PMAJ Jaybam Casiano.

“Nung binati niya, sa hindi malamang rason, without apparent reason, itong ating suspek ay kumuha ng bato at parang nairita... Sabi po ng mga tao sa compound nila, talagang pag nalalasing po itong suspek ay mahilig maghanap ng gulo,” Casiano said.

Ico is recovering from his head injuries while police prepare to file charges against Padeos.