A 19-year-old woman was killed on New Year’s Day after her stepfather attacked her with a jungle bolo in Brgy. Sta. Ana, Taytay, Rizal. Authorities identified the suspect as a 44-year-old caretaker, now the subject of a manhunt.
According to an ABS-CBN News report citing Taytay Police Chief Lt. Col. Marlo Solero, the incident occurred around 4 a.m. on January 1. The victim and suspect were hosting separate groups of guests outside their shared workplace when a heated argument erupted between them.
Witnesses reported that the suspect followed the victim and her boyfriend as they left to buy drinks. Armed with a bolo typically used for farming, he attacked the woman, inflicting multiple blows to her head, which caused her death.
The victim’s boyfriend attempted to intervene but sustained injuries to his right arm and is recovering in a hospital.
A subdivision guard, Eduardo Apostol, witnessed part of the attack and said the suspect initially chased the boyfriend before focusing on the victim. Apostol described seeing the victim emerge from the subdivision gate, covered in blood, before collapsing.
Family members revealed that the victim had confided about being harassed by the suspect, with jealousy suspected as a possible motive. The victim’s mother and father expressed outrage, calling for justice.
The suspect faces charges of murder and frustrated murder. Authorities are continuing their search for him.
