A 51-year-old public school teacher was fatally stabbed by her husband inside a faculty room in Barangay Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City, on Monday morning.
According to a Tuesday report by EJ Gomez on 24 Oras, the suspect, a 38-year-old man, stabbed the victim 37 times across various parts of her body.
School personnel rushed to assist the teacher, but she was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
“May estudyante sumisigaw, may lumabas na lalaki na naka-red, naka-sumbrero, may dalang bag,” a witness recounted. “Nakita namin may dugo dito at saka sa kamay, yung isa dito sa bag, tapos yung isang kamay hindi inalis sa bag kasi ang daming dugo. Lumabas yung dalawang titser sabi, hulihin niyo yan kasi nakapatay ‘yan dito.”
(A student was screaming, and then a man wearing red, a hat, and carrying a bag came out. We saw blood on his hand and the bag. One of his hands never left the bag because there was so much blood. Two teachers came out and said, “Catch him because he just killed someone here.”)
The suspect reportedly entered and exited the school premises multiple times before the fatal attack.
“Alas singko ng madaling araw, nandun na po ako,” said the suspect. “Tinatanong ko pa asawa ko. Sabi, wala ganito. Baba, taas ako. Mukha akong tanga.”
(At five in the morning, I was already there. I was asking my wife about something, and she said there was nothing wrong. I kept going up and down the building. I looked like a fool.)
Despite a security guard being stationed at the school, the suspect was able to enter freely, as he was frequently seen in the area.
“Dahil nga itong suspek ay asawa at usually nakikita doon sa lugar, siguro nagkaroon ng kumpiyansa itong guard at hindi sukat akalain na may masama palang balakin ito,” explained Police Colonel Sandro Jay DC Tafalla, Chief of Police at the Las Piñas City Police Station.
(Since the suspect was the victim’s husband and often seen at the school, the guard may have let his guard down and failed to suspect any malicious intent.)
“At around 8:45, after the recess, bumalik na yung biktima sa faculty kung saan doon na siya sinugod ng suspek. At doon na inupisan siyang atakihin at na witness ito ng tatlong guru at isang gwardya.”
(At around 8:45 a.m., after recess, the victim returned to the faculty room, where the suspect suddenly attacked her. Three teachers and a security guard witnessed the incident.)
Following the attack, the suspect attempted to flee but was captured on CCTV wandering near the school. Barangay officials and residents, including two teachers, pursued him.
A van attempted to stop the suspect by hitting him, but he continued walking. Eventually, more residents joined the chase, and barangay officers successfully apprehended him. The knife used in the crime was also recovered.
Investigators believe jealousy was the primary motive, citing this as the cause of the couple’s prior separation.
“Noong May 26, 2024, nahuli ko ang aking asawa na may kasamang lalaki sa mismong bahay namin,” said the suspect.
(On May 26, 2024, I caught my wife with another man in our own house.)
“Sinalubong ko pa siya, sabi ko, ‘Mag-usap tayo.’ Binigyan niya lang ako ng pera— P250 po pamasahe ko daw. Noong tinalikuran niya ako doon ako nag-trigger yung galit lahat lahat,” he added.
(I even approached her and said, “Let’s talk.” But she just gave me P250 for my fare home. When she turned her back on me, that’s when all my anger was triggered.)
The suspect admitted to being intoxicated and having smoked marijuana at the time of the attack.
He will face parricide charges. Meanwhile, the victim’s family declined to give a statement, and the school administration refused to comment on the incident.
Following the tragedy, classes were suspended at the school on Monday afternoon and Tuesday as authorities continued their investigation.
Police are also reviewing CCTV footage to understand how the suspect managed to enter and exit the school without immediate intervention. — Sherylin Untalan/DVM, GMA Integrated News
