Woman robbed; man sets house on fire

CEBU, Philippines - A wife of a retired police official was robbed by an unidentified man in Barangay Lawaan 1, Talisay City last Sunday evening.

Police identified the victim as Lizbeth Abalo, 50, a medical technologist who resides in Sitio Krusan, Barangay Bulacao.

Police Officer 3 Ferdinand Pablo of Talisay City Police Station said the victim could only describe the suspect as having a medium build, around 5-foot-4 in height with mustache and wearing dark bull cap.

Lizbeth's husband is retired police chief inspector Isagani Abalo.

Pablo said Lizbeth came from Minglanilla town onboard a public utility jeepney, but upon arriving in the said place, the suspect just reportedly grabbed her bag.

"Nagduda ang biktima nga kunsabo ang drayber sa jeep kay naghinay-hinay man sa pagpadagan sa iyang jeep mao to nga sayon ra sa suspek ang pag-ambak," Pablo said.

The suspect took Lizbeth’s bag which contained her cellphone, cash amounting to P3,200, checks and other important documents.

Pablo said the victim failed to identify the suspect in their rouges gallery, leading him to theorize that the responsible person may have come from a neighboring city or town.

Police have urged the victim to provide the plate number of the PUJ so that they could invite its driver for questioning.

Still in Talisay, a man who was allegedly under the influence of illegal drugs was arrested after trying to burn their house in Barangay Bulacao on Sunday afternoon.

The suspect's father, Honorato, 66, told The FREEMAN that his son Jerome Judico, 37, is already a drug dependent. Honorato said his son was high on illegal drugs when the latter attempted to set their house on fire.

"Niapil gyud ni siya anang bisyo nga wala’y ayo," Honorato said.

He said they were surprised when they saw smokes from the room of his son.

They immediately checked on Jerome's room and saw him burning things inside. Fortunately, their neighbors were able to put out the fire.

The suspect was apprehended by the barangay tanods and turned over to the police officers and was placed behind bars.

Honorato yesterday went to Talisay City Police to file arson charges against his son.  (FREEMAN)