82-year-old found dead inside home with throat slit

An 82-year-old was found dead with her throat slit inside her room in Barangay Santo Niño, San Felipe, Zambales.

According to CJ Torida’s report on GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon, the victim was identified as Teresita White.

“Ang nakakita po sa kanya ay ‘yung caretaker niya. Noong tinatawag siya, walang sumasagot. Noong nasilip nila ‘yung bintana, ‘yun nga nasilip nila ‘yung matandang babae doon,” San Felipe Police Station chief Police Captain Connie Calsado said.

Initial investigation showed that robbery was the main motive of the crime as the victim’s cellphone and pieces of jewelry were missing.

In a manhunt operation, the cops arrested 19-year-old suspect John Hendrick Balendres, a former caretaker of the victim.

The suspect reportedly admitted to the crime but insisted that he had no intention of killing the victim.

“Sabi niya, ang intensyon lang talaga niya ay magnakaw, kaya lang ay nagising ‘yung matanda. Dahil kakilala niya ‘yung matunda, papaluin sana siya. Sinakal niya at kinuha ‘yung bread knife, ‘yung ginamit niyang pang-laslas doon sa leeg,” Calsado said. —Mel Matthew Doctor/NB, GMA News