Old woman dies; grandson suspects robbery as motive

CEBU, Philippines - An 88-year-old woman died after she was found with bruises on the face and neck inside her house in Barangay Dawis Sur, Carmen last Tuesday afternoon.

Cleofe Geonzon, a widow, was found lying unconscious by her grandson with bruises on the left part of her face and neck.

The victim’s family suspects this was done intentionally by a yet to be identified person.

The victim’s grandson, James Paul Doce, 27, arrived home at about 5:30 in the afternoon from watching a basketball tournament when he found his grandmother lying near the stairs, gasping for breath

Geonzon was declared dead by Municipal Health Officer Dr. Elmer Batao, who came over to the victim’s residence.

Upon checking their valuables, Doce then found out that his cellular phone, which he charged inside their house, as well as his P800 cash were missing, prompting him to suspect that his grandmother was robbed. 

SPO4 Renerio Masucol, Carmen police investigator, said that at about 4:00 in the afternoon, Doce asked his grandmother’s permission to watch the basketball game near their house but when he returned home, he was met with the sight of his dying grandmother.

Doce went to their barangay captain, Ranolfo Ybañez, and sought help. It was Ybañez who went to the police station to report what happened.

Geonzon was reportedly receiving a monthly pension of P5,000. Her husband was a former veteran.

Masucol said they cannot conclude yet if robbery was the motive of the crime unless they will get the autopsy results.

The investigator said they learned from Dr. Batao that Geonzon suffered a heart enlargement in 2006.

“Una gyud mi mu-imbestigar tan-awon namo kung hinungdan lang ba ni sa iyang sakit o gituyo gyud, (Before we start investigating, we have to determine first if this was caused by her ailment or intentional.)” Masucol said.

PO3 Edgardo Papaya said the things in the house weren’t in disarray which would prove whether a commotion took place before Geonzon was killed.— (FREEMAN)