19-year-old woman stabbed to death by underage robbers in Tagum City

A 19-year-old woman was fatally stabbed at least 38 times inside her bedroom in Barangay La Filipina, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

According to RGil Relator’s report on “24 Oras” Thursday, police investigation revealed the suspects entered the house at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday.

They stole the victim’s laptop, other gadgets, two watches, and money.

According to the Philippine National Police Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO), the majority of the stab wounds were in the stomach but the victim also sustained stab wounds on her neck.

The suspects could have entered the house by removing a sliding glass window.

Based initial interrogation of the suspects, police said the victim was surprised after seeing them, and since she saw their faces, the suspects decided to kill her out of fear of being caught by authorities.

The victims’ parents said they did not hear any noise during the incident.

The suspects were identified through a neighbor’s CCTV. It showed that they repeatedly observed the house a day before the robbery.

During the hot pursuit operation and with the help of the witnesses, authorities caught two of the four suspects, ages 17 and 14 years old. They were from Davao de Oro.

One of them has a previous record of robbery.

Aside from recovering the stolen items, authorities retrieved the bloodied knife believed to have been used in the crime.

The 17-year-old suspect may face robbery with homicide charges.

Meanwhile, the 14-year-old suspect will be referred to the Children and Women's Desk Office (CWDO).

The police said it is coordinating with the CDWO regarding their cases.

GMA Regional TV is seeking comments from the arrested suspects. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News