Crime of passion eyed in death of woman in storage box

Authorities are looking into a possible crime of passion in the killing of a woman whose body was found inside a storage box in Basud, Camarines Norte, as the suspect’s father claimed his son acted in self-defense following an argument with the victim.

According to Jhomer Apresto’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the father said the suspect and the victim quarreled after the suspect saw social media posts showing his live-in partner with another person.

The father said that on the afternoon of January 1, the suspect arrived home drunk and was met by the victim.

Police investigation showed that shards of broken glass found at the couple’s residence—initially believed to have been used by the suspect—reportedly belonged to the victim.

“Nagbasag ng bote, sinaksak siya. Yung pag-iwas niya, parang naitulak niya. Pagbagsak niya, inaano niya, tinitingnan niya, hindi daw gumagalaw,” the father said.

(She broke a bottle and stabbed him. When he tried to avoid the attack, he may have pushed her, causing her to fall. When he checked on her, she was already unconscious.)

The suspect allegedly panicked after realizing the victim was lifeless and placed her body inside a storage box, which was later found under a bridge in Basud on January 2.

Police were able to trace the suspect through the barcode on the tape he purchased, which was recovered from the storage box.

“Maari pong self-defense lang, naniniwala po ako. Hindi ko maisip na gagawin niya kasi napakabait ng batang ’yan,” the father said.

(I believe it could have been self-defense. I can’t imagine him doing something like that because he is a very kind person.)

However, the autopsy report showed signs of asphyxia due to suffocation, indicating that the victim may have been strangled.

The suspect was surrendered by his family early Wednesday and is now facing murder charges.

“Sumuko lang ako. Nagtiwala sa mga pulis para malinis ang aking pangalan (I surrendered and trusted the police so I could clear my name),” the suspect said.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/MCG, GMA Integrated News