A female overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who recently returned to the Philippines for Christmas was found dead in Antipolo City. The 29-year-old victim, Canice Minica Seming, appeared to be an unintended casualty in a conflict involving her brother’s former domestic worker and his ex-partner.
According to a report by Emil Sumagil on GMA News “24 Oras” this Friday, Seming suffered at least 15 stab wounds. Her bloodied body was discovered inside her brother’s house in a subdivision in Antipolo City.
Jose Garcia, the victim’s brother-in-law, expressed his grief, stating, “The worst Christmas ever. We were looking forward to having fun this Christmas.”
The primary person of interest identified in the case is Art Tondo, a former employee of the Garcia family. CCTV footage captured Tondo walking in the subdivision on the night of the crime, carrying a backpack and wiping his hands.
Garcia revealed that he had asked Tondo to take a leave due to previous negative experiences concerning money handling and attitude problems. “I said it in a nice way, ‘take a break’… We already had some bad experiences with him regarding money, handling people, his attitude was difficult to deal with, arrogant,” Garcia explained.
However, theft does not seem to be the motive behind the crime, as pointed out by Garcia. “If it was theft, why was only Canice’s phone stolen when her bag, containing her wallet, cards, and even her passport, was right next to her?” he questioned.
The police investigation revealed that Tondo was attempting to reconcile with a domestic worker of the Garcias, his former partner. According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Manongdo, chief of Antipolo police, Tondo had been blocked on her phone, leaving him no choice but to visit her at the crime scene.
However, the domestic worker was not present at the time of the crime, leading to suspicions that Seming might have been an accidental victim in what Manongdo suspects to be a “crime of passion.” He also noted that Tondo had a previous criminal record.