Houseboy robs, stabs woman 14 times

MANILA, Philippines - A businesswoman was robbed and stabbed 14 times, allegedly by one of her male household helpers, in her own apartment in Barangay Greater Fairview, Quezon City Sunday afternoon.

Carlota Amio, 34, was found dead on the floor of her room at around 5:20 p.m. Sunday.

Inspector Elmer Monsalve, chief of the homicide investigation section of the Quezon City Police District, said they are hunting down the househelp known as “Bingot,” who had been working for the victim for nearly a month.

Monsalve said the victim sustained stab wounds in the face, the back, the front of her body and her forearms. He said there were signs Amio may have fought back: her nails had pieces of skin, possibly her attacker’s, under them; a broom with a broken handle; and defense wounds on her forearms.

The kitchen knife used by her attacker was found in the room, he said, which was in disarray. Monsalve said they could not find any mobile phones, laptops and money in the victim’s room, which she shares with her three children. The other room in her apartment is used by her three household helpers, all men: Bingot, Allan and Junior.

The household helpers also helped her in her coconut business, police said. Monsalve said he found in the househelps’ room a red shirt and brown shorts, both stained with blood.

He said Amio and Bingot were the only persons in the apartment at the time of the robbery. Amio’s two older daughters were with relatives in Mindoro while her son was with the two other houseboys at her coconut shop.

Two female helpers working for Amio’s neighbors told police they heard a commotion in Amio’s apartment but ignored it. They said they saw Bingot leave the house carrying a large backpack and another bag, stopping to wipe his sweat using a rag from the clothesline.

The two women said they asked Bingot where he was going. He replied that his employer wants to move to another apartment since the air conditioner was not working.

When Bingot left, Allan arrived, carrying some coconuts he said Amio told him to bring to the apartment. Witnesses said Allan then started shouting that his boss was dead.

Upon hearing this, the apartment compound caretaker went to Amio’s unit but found her room locked. He destroyed the door and found Amio’s body.

Monsalve said Allan and Junior are also considered suspects since they left Amio’s house following the incident.