Battered wife sends husband to jail

It took a battered housewife six years to end her suffering by sending her jobless husband to rot in jail in Marikina City.

"Hindi ko na po kaya ang ginagawang pambubugbog niya sa akin sa loob ng anim na taon naming pagsasama. Mas mabuti na po sigurong nandyan siya sa kulungan," said Hannah Fernandez, a 28-year-old pawnshop employee.

She claimed each time her husband, Anthony, 29, was under the influence of liquor he would beat her black and blue.

The last straw came the other night when Hannah received a severe beating from Anthony right in front of his drinking buddies at their home in Barangay Jesus de la Peña.

Hannah filed a formal complaint with the Marikina City police, which arrested Anthony with the help of barangay officials when he showed up at the family residence last Monday night,

"Hindi ko na po talaga matiis ang ginagawa niya sa akin. Ako na po ang nagpapakain sa kanya pero sinasaktan pa niya ako," the victim told investigator PO2 Saniata Rona Malaque. "Ako na po ang magpapaliwanag sa anak ko kung bakit wala na siyang tatay."

The couple has a six-year-old daughter.

Malaque said Anthony was drinking with his friends inside his house when Hannah arrived from work at 7 p.m. last Monday.

When she entered their house, Anthony pushed one of his drinking buddies toward her and ordered him to beat her up.

"Pare suntukin mo ‘yang asawa ko, matapang ‘yan," the suspect said.

In her anger, Hannah picked up an empty bottle and threatened to hit her husband.

"Hahatawin ko sana siya ngunit inawat po ako ng kanyang kaibigan kaya sinuntok niya po ako ng dalawang beses sa mukha at ako’y nahilo. Tapos sinabunutan niya ako at pinagsasakal at pinagsusuntok nang maraming beses sa aking ulo at likod," the victim told Malaque.

One of his drinking buddies stopped Anthony from inflicting more harm to Hannah, who ran to the barangay hall to ask for help.

Anthony was not around when responding barangay officials arrived at their house.

Police and barangay officials arrested Anthony when he returned home hours later.

At the police station, Anthony asked Hannah to give him another chance, but the wife was determined to pursue the physical injury charges.

"Tama na siguro ‘yung anim na taong pananakit niya sa akin," Hannah said.