MANILA — A 52-year-old watch technician fatally stabbed a 15-year-old boy during the September 21 riots in Manila, city officials confirmed Wednesday.

Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso presented the suspect, Richard Francisco, at a press conference on September 24.

The incident occurred at the intersection of C.M. Recto Avenue and Quezon Boulevard amid mass protests.

Police said Francisco, who owns a small shop in the area, claimed he acted to protect his property when a group of minors allegedly attempted to damage establishments.

Armed with a case knife, he confronted the rioters and fatally stabbed Grade 10 student Chustin Serbo y Ignacio of Barangay Rizal, Taguig City.

Francisco voluntarily surrendered to the Barbosa Police Station in Quiapo, Manila, shortly after the incident. He underwent a medical examination at Ospital ng Sampaloc before being turned over to the Manila Police District Homicide Section for proper disposition.

Mayor Domagoso expressed grief over the loss and offered condolences to the victim’s family.

“Nalulungkot ako na may isa na namang magulang ang umiiyak ngayon. Masakit mawalan ng anak,” he said, urging young people to heed their parents’ guidance.

The mayor also reminded residents not to take the law into their own hands, saying, “It turned out it’s an ordinary citizen trying to protect his property and afraid of his life, caught in the middle of a chaotic and unruly riot.”

Francisco, when asked about the stabbing, reportedly said: “Nabigla lang ako, hindi ko sadya.”

Domagoso added that with the suspect’s voluntary surrender, the case had been “closed and resolved immediately.”