Retired teacher robbed, killed inside her home

STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna — A retired teacher was killed inside her home here last Friday by at least three men who had robbed her of about P90,000 in rental payments.

The stab-ridden body of Mrs. Rosita Saul, 67, mother of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent Elson Saul, was found wrapped in a blanket and covered with a native mat a few meters outside her servant’s quarters at about 8:30 p.m.

Police held three of Saul’s tenants, identified as brothers Sammy and Bernard Cariño and their cousin Jesus Mercado, who were found to have bruises and bloodstains on their bodies.

Police recovered from Bernard P5,000 believed to be part of the money stolen from Saul. The Cariños and Mercado, however, denied any hand in the crime.

SPO1 Victor Peria said Saul was stabbed several times in the neck and body inside the servant’s quarters between noon and 4 p.m. last Friday, shortly after she had finished cleaning her house with the help of a neighbor, 16-year-old Raymond Centeno.

Probers believe that Saul fought back against her attackers and despite her stab wounds, was able to go out of the servant’s quarters to seek help, but eventually fell lifeless a few meters away where the suspects wrapped her in a blanket. — With Arnell Ozaeta