Arab nat'l, friend facing frustrated homicide rap

CEBU - An Arab national and his Filipina friend are facing a complaint of frustrated homicide before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office after they allegedly strangled his friend’s sister in Liloan town last week.

Ahmad Ismael Sawan and his Filipina friend Joanne Semblante Alnaqbi were the subjects of the complaint filed by Joanne’s sister, Jacqueline Orlanes, for allegedly trying to kill her last October 7 in the evening.

Orlanes said her sister arrived together with Sawan at 7 p.m. and immediately ran to her inside her room. Alnaqbi was allegedly shouting at her accusing her of stealing a refund. She then allegedly pulled Orlanes’ hair.

Orlanes said she tried to push her sister outside her room but the latter shouted for help from Sawan.

The Arab national allegedly ran upstairs and immediately choked her. Orlanes said she tried to fight back but because the suspect was too big, she fainted and lost her consciousness. Orlanes said she only gained consciousness at the Mandaue City District Hospital where she was brought by her nephew.

In her affidavit, Orlanes said that they have a prior misunderstanding with her sister about the expenses they incurred for the hospitalization of their father.

Orlanes said her sister texted her last October 6 saying to wait for her revenge.

According to Orlanes, the attempt to kill her was witnessed by her helper Charito Monilar. In fact, Monilar executed an affidavit to support the criminal complaint filed by Orlanes. — Fred P. Languido/LPM (THE FREEMAN)