Moneylender slain by her own kin

CEBU, Philippines - An 82-year-old moneylender was killed by three relatives for refusing to lend them money last Saturday afternoon in Sitio Buli, Barangay Cansumoroy, Balamban town.

Luisa Lapuerta, a widow, was found bleeding by her grandson who just came from gathering firewood around 4:30 p.m. The boy also saw the suspects fleeing on foot.

Lapuerta was rushed to the Balamban Provincial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Police arrested the suspects along the national highway in Barangay Gaas around 10 a.m. Sunday. They were identified as Lucio Enlatira, 22, of Dumanjug town; Reynan Cabaltera, 21, Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City; and Emilio Dinopol, 20, of Barangay Casumoroy.

Confiscated from them were the t-shirts they allegedly used to cover their faces during the crime. A small knife was also recovered from Enlatira.

Based on the accounts of suspects, SPO1 Jose Ranielito Villarino said they went to the house of Lapuerta to borrow money and Lapuerta refused.

The suspects, who were reportedly drunk at the time, got mad and it was Enlatira who allegedly stabbed Lapuerta in the chest.

Villarino said that the suspects were about to steal cash from Lapuerta when her grandson arrived.

“Nakasiyagit pa ang biktima unya maoy pagpa-dulong sa apo maong nakadagan ang tulo,” Villarino said.

He added that aside from being a moneylender, Lapuerta just sold a lot for a huge amount.

The suspects claimed they were not able to get anything after Lapuerta had been stabbed but the family of Lapuerta has yet to check the victim’s valuables and cash.

A case for murder is set to be filed today against the suspects before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Last week loan officer, Lyriza Amar, 24, officer of ZFA Credit Corp., was robbed and killed by an unidentified robber along A.S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City.

Amar had just withdrawn P100,000 cash from a nearby bank.

The robber then took Amar’s bag that contained the cash and ATM cards and PIN codes of their clients before stealing a motorcycle and escaping.  (FREEMAN)