Neighbor kills widow, stabs 3 kids over debt

MANILA, Philippines - A 48-year-old widow died and her three children were hospitalized when they were attacked by a neighbor, who owed her money, as the victims were having breakfast in Caloocan City yesterday.

Anna Agullo of Reparo street in Barangay 161 was declared dead upon arrival at the Manila Central University Hospital. She succumbed to stab wounds in different parts of the body. Her children – Justine Ann, 15; Arvin John, 13; and Alfer John, 11 – are under observation at the same hospital.

Suspect Ivan Lou Climaco, 28, fled after the attack and remains at large.

Lucy Alejandro, Agullo’s sister, told investigators that prior to the incident, Anna went over to Climaco’s house Sunday afternoon to collect an unspecified amount of money he owed her. She said Climaco and Anna had a heated argument, but the victim left without further incident.

Neighbors said Climaco had just resigned from his job at a supermarket chain and resented the way Anna asked him to settle his debt.

Chief Inspector Rodrigo Soriano, who heads the Caloocan City police’s station investigation division, said that at around 4:30 a.m. yesterday, Anna and her children were having breakfast in the kitchen when they noticed Climaco was in the house. According to witnesses, Climaco went through an open bedroom window.

When Anna confronted him, Climaco allegedly picked up a knife in the kitchen and stabbed Agullo in the abdomen. The victim then tried to run away and hide but Climaco caught up with her and stabbed her repeatedly.

Anna’s children tried to protect their mother but Climaco stabbed them one after the other before escaping. The victims’ other neighbors, who heard their cries for help, rushed Anna and her children to the hospital.

Senior Police Officer 1 Joselito Barredo Jr. said Climaco faces charges of murder and three counts of frustrated murder.