Camille Naredo

The parents of 15-year-old Mark Chustin Serbo mourn his death, after the teenager was stabbed during the riot in Recto last September 21. Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News

The parents of 15-year-old Mark Chustin Serbo mourn his death, after the teenager was stabbed during the riot in Recto last September 21.

Article (news)

TEENAGER

Jessie Cruzat

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758722443359G1mNGq_aoAA_ROu.jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The parents of 15-year-old Mark Chustin Serbo mourn his death, after the teenager was stabbed during the riot in Recto last September 21. Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The parents of 15-year-old Mark Chustin Serbo mourn his death, after the teenager was stabbed during the riot in Recto last September 21. <em>Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — In grief and disbelief, Rusilyn Serbo mourns the death of her son, 15-year-old Mark Chustin Serbo, who was fatally stabbed during a riot along Recto Avenue, Manila, last Sunday.</p><p>The wake of the victim, a Grande 10 student, is being held at their home in Taguig City.</p><p>According to Rusilyn, her son simply asked permission to go out with friends on Sunday afternoon.</p><p>“Sabi niya, Ma, aalis ako. Saan ka pupunta? Sabi niya, diyan lang, Ma. Pahingi akong 200, kasi aalis po ako… usually po na aalis siya, kahit sabihin niya sa akin na diyan lang, sa BGC lang,” said Rusilyn.</p><p>What Rusilyn didn’t know was that her son would end up in the middle of the demonstration.</p><p>“Hindi ko po siya papayagan talaga, sir, kung alam ko lang na pupunta pala siya doon sa rally po. Kasi alam ko po, delikado talaga yun, sir. Kaya menor de edad pa siya eh,” she added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/21/protest-turns-into-deadly-riot-as-demonstrators-attack-establishments-along-recto-avenue-2027">Protest turns into riot as &#x27;demonstrators&#x27; attack establishments along Recto Avenue</a></div><p>Footage released by the Manila Public Information Office shows the suspect, identified as a 52-year-old watch repairman, stabbing the victim.</p><p>The victims managed to run a few meters before collapsing. He was rushed to the hospital but later died due to severe stab wounds to his back.</p><p>On Monday night, the suspect voluntarily surrendered to authorities at the Manila Police District.</p><p>The suspect claimed he acted out of panic as a crowd began destroying property near his stall.</p><p>“Wala na silang pakialam eh. Kahit anong makita—mga motor, binabagsak nila… Nablangko nga ako doon eh. Parang nagagalit na ako kasi marami na silang binabasag... Humihingi lang ako ng pasensya kasi hindi naman talaga sadya eh… Nagsisisi man ako, nangyari na,” he said.</p><p>But for Mark Chustin’s grieving mother, no excuse can justify what happened.</p><p>“Kung yung anak ko yung pinupuntirya niya, hindi niya po dapat saksakin, sir. Pwede niya po yung hawakan sa kamay, dalawang kamay ng bata hawakan, dalhin niya sa pulis. Doon po niya dalhin. Hindi yung siyang magdidesisyon para sa buhay ng anak ko,” she added.</p><p>Rusilyn, however, emphasized that her son was not part of any group involved in the disturbance.</p><p>She described him as a kind and diligent student who had big dreams of serving the public.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/21/17-arrested-after-tension-erupts-during-sept-21-protest-in-manila-1540">17 arrested after tension erupts during Sept. 21 protest in Manila</a></div><p>“Sabi niya sa akin, gusto niya daw talaga maging pulis… Sabi ko, Ma, sige, nak. Kahit saan ang school, magsusikap kami para maipaaral ka. Susuportahan kita,” the victim’s mother added.</p><p>According to Police Lt. Col. Arwen Nacional, commander of MPD Station 14, the suspect admitted he was afraid the escalating situation would affect his stall.</p><p>“Maraming nagkakagulo ‘yong mga kabataan, mga naka-itim daw sabi niya. Nagbabasag na ang mga pwesto. E yung pwesto niya nando’n, madadamay,” said Plt.Col. Nacional.</p><p>Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso admitted that the situation is complex but emphasized that justice must prevail.</p><p>“That&#x27;s the challenge. Yan ay isang malaking hamon sa isang rumble or riot incident wherein even ordinary people in a given situation will protect his family, property, and himself… But it&#x27;s up for the fiscal, the prosecutor, and the judge to find out,”</p><p>The suspect is currently detained at the Manila Police District and is facing charges of homicide.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6_YuQcgCaRI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Amid grief and disbelief, Rusilyn Serbo mourns the death of her son, 15-year-old Mark Chustin Serbo, who was fatally stabbed during a riot along Recto Avenue, Manila, last Sunday.</p>

Amid grief and disbelief, Rusilyn Serbo mourns the death of her son, 15-year-old Mark Chustin Serbo, who was fatally stabbed during a riot along Recto Avenue, Manila, last Sunday.

Mother of 15-year-old stabbing victim cries for justice after son killed in Manila riot

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Mother of 15-year-old stabbing victim cries for justice after son killed in Manila riot

Jessie Cruzat,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 24, 2025 11:51 PM PHT

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Stabbing

Death

Riot

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Protest

Recto

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