A man accused of robbing and stabbing his neighbor repeatedly inside her apartment in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, was arrested in General Trias, Cavite, nearly a week after the attack, police said Thursday.
Authorities arrested the suspect in Barangay Buenavista 3, General Trias, in connection with the July 24 robbery and stabbing.
Police said the suspect allegedly watched the victim after she left her apartment to buy food. He then followed her inside when she returned.
San Jose del Monte Police Chief, Lt. Col. Reyson Bagain, said the suspect demanded for the victim's cellphone and money before attacking her.
"Noong pagpasok ng victim sa kaniyang apartment, sumunod kaagad 'yung ating suspek. Ang hinihingi ng suspek sa kaniya is 'yung cell phone niya tsaka 'yung pera nung victim, kaya lang noong ibibigay na ng victim 'yung mga items na hinihingi ng suspek is biglaan naman niyang sinaksak," he said.
The woman sustained 11 stab wounds in different parts of her body. Police said the suspect also fled with her cellphone and wallet.
The victim said the attack left her and her three-year-old child, who witnessed the stabbing, traumatized deeply.
"Pagbayaran niya po 'yung ginawa niya sa amin ng anak ko. Kahit po ngayon, kaunting kaluskos lang po marinig ko, hindi ko na maintindihan kung anong gagawin ko," she said.
She said her child continues to relive the incident.
"'Yung anak ko po, kapag tinatanong sa kaniya kung anong nangyari sa mama niya, sinasabi niya, 'Dugo-dugo,' tapos 'yung mga saksak tinuturo niya. Hanggang ngayon po, takot po sa akin 'yung anak ko na lumapit sa akin," she said.
The suspect admitted his involvement but claimed he never intended to stab the victim. He said he panicked after she resisted and blamed his actions on personal problems.
"Hindi ko naman po gusto 'yun eh. Nataranta lang po ako, eh. Cellphone lang naman po 'yung gusto ko noon, eh kaso po nanlaban na ho siya. Pasensiya na ho sa nangyari, di ko rin naman ho gusto. May anak rin po ako, kaso nagkaroon lang ho ng problema, nagkahiwalay po kami ng asawa ko," he said.
The suspect is detained at the San Jose del Monte Police Station and will face a complaint for robbery with frustrated homicide.
Police said the victim's child will also be referred to specialists for psychological intervention to help address the trauma caused by the attack.
(with reports from Balitanghali)
