Suspect who stabbed elderly woman with 5-inch needle arrested

The suspect behind the death of a 68-year-old woman who was fatally stabbed with a five-inch needle in Candaba, Pampanga last year was finally arrested by authorities.

According to Emil Sumangil’s exclusive report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the Pampanga SWAT Team spearheaded the operation which led to the arrest of Jerome Santiago, or alias “Randy”, inside a building in the City of San Fernando. 

“Palipat-lipat po ito, palipat-lipat po ng lugar, allegedly mayroon po sa Batangas, Laguna,” said Pampanga Provincial Police Office director Police Colonel Jay Dimaandal. 

(He’s been moving to different places. He allegedly also went to Batangas and Laguna.) 

Victim Lavinia Gulapa was found dead in her office inside a warehouse in Barangay Barangka. Autopsy revealed she suffered bruises and was stabbed on the chest with a needle.

The suspect reportedly carried away P60,000 that he allegedly stole from the victim. 

In a previous report, Gulapa’s son said the suspect became angry after his mother refused the suspect’s request to get his salary earlier.

“May sign of strangulation, binigti. Nawawala ang pera, amounting to P60,000,” said Dimaandal. 

(There was a sign of strangulation, of hanging. There was also missing money amounting to P60,000.)

The suspect apologized for his crimes. 

“Pasensya na po, hindi ko ginusto ang nangyari, nabigla lang ako, hindi ko talaga gusto,” said Santiago. 

(I’m very sorry, I really didn’t want that to happen, I was shocked.) 

Meanwhile, Gulapa’s family is satisfied with the latest development in their mother’s case. 

“Ang aking pamilya, lalo na po ako ay tuwang-tuwa sa pagkakadakip po ni [Jerome…], sa pagkakasala niya sa aking ina, at [mapanagutan din] niya sa husgado ang krimen na ginawa niya po,” her son said. 

(My family, especially me, is very happy with the arrest of Jerome, given what he had done to our mother and he can now finally be held accountable for his crimes.)
—Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News