89-year-old woman strangled to death in Iloilo City

An 89-year-old woman was strangled to death allegedly by her former worker in La Paz, Iloilo City.

According to the report by GMA Regional TV’s Zen Quilantang-Sasa on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the victim was found dead inside her home. The crime was also caught on CCTV.

The victim’s child, who was abroad, saw the incident on CCTV. Hence, he asked a relative to check on his mother.

“He grabbed her by the neck, like squeezing the neck while heading towards the kitchen area, because the kitchen is in front of the elderly person's room,” said Captain Gimel Acuesta of Iloilo City Police Station 2.

The suspect was identified as alias Pablo, a native of Mambusao, Capiz, but temporarily residing in Leganes, Iloilo. He was allegedly a former employee of the victim's construction business, but was fired.

Based on CCTV footage, the suspect knocked on the gate at 8:05 AM on May 24 and was allowed inside by the victim. According to police, it is possible the victim thought the suspect was there for a transaction involving construction materials.

Meanwhile, at 8:51 AM, the suspect was caught on camera leaving while carrying several items. These are believed to be the stolen watches, cash, and jewelry wrapped in clothing.

Authorities are currently eyeing robbery and grudge as the primary motives behind the crime.

“Accordingly, one of the motives is for him to rob because he’s addicted to gambling,” said Acuesta.

It is also believed that the suspect premeditated the crime, as he timed it during the day off of the victim's housekeepers.

The news team went to the suspect's house in the town of Leganes to get his statement, but no one was there. He remains the subject of an ongoing manhunt. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA News