CEBU, Philippines - A pregnant woman was allegedly murdered by her brother-in-law Sunday evening in Sitio Caningag, Barangay Bagatayam, Sogod town.
Ivy Maquilan, 20, who was five months pregnant to her third child, was reportedly stabbed to death in front of her three-year-old daughter by Peterson Lumbab, 28, after a heated argument.
Maquilan was rushed by the responding policemen to Juan Dosado Memorial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Lumbab surrendered to the police.
In an interview with The Freeman, Lumbab admitted planning the killing out of pity for his wife, who is the victim’s sister. Lumbab claimed his wife suffered a heart attack a month ago and was confined at the hospital after Maquilan quarreled with her over a property owned by their father.
“Nakalimot ko, sir. Wa na ko sa akong kaugalingon kay nasakit ko’s iyang gibuhat sa akong pamilya maong nakahukom ko’ng patyon nako siya aron wa nay mogubot sa akong pamilya ba,” Lumbab said.
“Pagkagahapon ako siyang giihaw, wa koy laing naabot sa akong hukom,” he admitted to The Freeman having killed his sister-in-law.
Lumbab explained that when he arrived at the victim’s house, she immediately quarreled with him.
“Ninaog siya sa iyang bay nya iya dayon ko’ng gisugat og lalis mao to ako to’ng nadunggaban,” he added.
Lumbab said he is willing to face the consequences of his action.
Antonio Luceñara, 60, Maquilan’s live-in-partner, said he was not around when the incident happened.
“Gikan ko nananggot, nahibolong ko kay ngitngit man ang balay n’ya naghilak ang bata,” Luceñara recalled.
He later found his live-in-partner lying on the ground bathed with her blood. Luceñara immediately called for help.
Police Officer 1 Ronnel Kinain said they found the victim with several stab wounds in the chest and lacerated wounds in her neck. Chiery Anne Molde, victim’s cousin, claimed the suspect slit Maquilan’s throat. — /FPL (FREEMAN)