Woman attacked, robbed in church restroom

MANILA, Philippines - A woman was beaten and robbed in a restroom of the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church in Valenzuela City Sunday, a police official said yesterday.

Marycris Lahora, 33, told police she was waiting with her two children for the mass to start when she felt the urge to urinate. She saw Christian Datuin, 27, glaring at her as he stood outside the restroom, city police chief Senior Superintendent Eric Armamento said.

Lahora said that when she was about to leave the cubicle, Datuin pushed her back inside and beat her head against the toilet bowl until she let go of her bag, which contained gadgets and P10,700 in cash.

Datuin fled with her bag, but Lahora called for help, prompting churchgoers to accost the suspect.

Datuin “admitted to being high on drugs,” but insisted it was his first time to rob someone, Armamento said. “He said he wanted to use the money to apply for work,” the city police chief added.

Datuin was charged with robbery with physical injuries and is currently detained in the Valenzuela police station.