Woman killed in rape attempt

CEBU, Philippines - A mother of two was shot dead after resisting a relative of her live-in partner who allegedly tried to rape her inside a hut in Barangay Adlawon, Cebu City.

Mary Grace Rabina, 20, of Sitio Sayaw, Barangay Adlawon, was allegedly shot dead by Willam Magno, 37, after he failed to rape her on Monday around 9:40 a.m.

Cebu City Police Office Homicide Section investigator PO3 Ruth Violango said Magno stormed inside the victim’s house with a yellow shirt wrapped around his head and armed with a .38 cal. revolver while Rabina was tending to her one-year-old son.

Violango said Magno tried to rape Rabina and she resisted as evidenced by bruises she sustained on both shoulders and left eye. Rabina eventually broke away and tried to flee but the assailant shot her in the back of the head with the slug exiting out the left side of her jaw.

The gunshot woke up her son and the baby started crying.

Magno fled the house but two persons still managed to identify him.

“Nakabati mi og buto sa pusil ug hilak sa bata, mao nga among gisusi ug nakita namo siya (Magno) nagtaptap ug padagan palayo sa balay,” said Jessa Magno, 19, a niece of the suspect.

A boy, 15, also a nephew of the suspect, said he recognized the odd way his uncle walks after he injured his neck years ago.

“Ako dayon nailhan siya tungod sa iyang paglakaw,” he said.

At first, investigators had no lead as to who shot the victim. Violango said they were on their way back to the city when they received a tip from the suspect’s relatives. 

Seized from the suspect’s residence were the yellow shirt, yellow short pants, a long-sleeved shirt and a black jacket all believed to be the same clothes Magno wore when he shot Rabina. Police also found a .38 cal. revolver with several live rounds.

Rabina’s live-in partner Ryan Inocando, 27, a construction worker, was working in Barangay Talamban Cebu City, when he received a phone call that something happened to his family.

Inocando rushed back to his house to find Rabina dead.

“Gusto nako nga mapriso na siya (suspect). Akong siguraduon nga di magmahay akong asawa kay di lalim nga mag inusara ta,” Inocando said.

He also said he had heard rumors Magno was attracted to his wife.

“Luguson gyud niya akong asawa labi na nga murag na-ibog siya,” he said.

Even Magno’s own sister, who requested anonymity, condemned his actions.

“Iya naman na nabuhat, mao na na ang resulta sa iyang pagka bisyoso sa inum, sugal ug suyop,” she said.

The suspect initially denied the allegations against him but later confessed to the crime.

Magno is currently detained at CCPO while investigators are preparing the murder charge set to be filed against him today.