Psycho Kills Teacher

Dongon, Maasin City – It’s been 14 days since the lifeless body of a popular teacher of the San Rafael Elementary School was found inside her blood drenched bedroom last March 31 and the city police have yet to arrest anyone.

Police identified the victim as 63 year old Petra Manlupig Pongase. Investigators claimed she had been strangled, beaten and raped.

Pongase had struggled with her killer who had strangled her with his bare hands so savagely that one of his bloody fingernails was embedded in her neck. Maasinhons claim it was the most brutal crime in the city’s history.

Doctor Teodulo Kangleon Salas who examined the victim’s body said the crime was committed between 12 midnight and 2 a.m. that day. He said their post mortem examination confirmed she had been sexually violated.

A team from the Scene of the Crime Investigating Agency (SOCA) visited the crime scene and talked with residents nearby but have yet to reveal its findings.

A relative of Pongase told the Southern Leyte Times they were planning to ask the National Bureau of Investigation for help because the city police team handling the case seemed to have reached a blank wall.

“They have not even asked for a copy of the autopsy report from the City Health Office,” he lamented.

SPO3 Rolando Paloma who heads the PNP team conducting the investigation said they had interrogated a neighbor of Pongase but had released him for lack of evidence.

He claimed they were still waiting for their copy of the autopsy report to confirm if the victim had been sexually abused.

However Attorney Romeo Geniston, who SLT consulted on the matter, confirmed that under the new Rape Law, a person is considered to have been raped if any object had been inserted into any orifice of the person without their consent.

A relative of the victim, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, said the killer could have been a disgruntled student whom she had flunked. Or one of the many drug addicted gamblers in the neighborhood who must have stalked her and knew she had money in her room.

The only thing that appears certain at the moment is that many Maasinhons are beginning to lose confidence in their law enforcers and believe this crime will end up among the growing number of “unsolved cases” in the city police archives.

Yet what can we really expect from a police force that has no crime laboratory facility and no adequate training in police work? (By ANTONIO M. REYES)

Driver kills child

BARANGAY IBA, MALITBOG -. A seven year old grade one pupil died here when he was hit by a van while crossing the national highway. The victim Dominique Jones Pejoto died instantly.

Witnesses claim the driver knew he had sideswiped the child but had not stopped and sped towards Maasin City. A Malitbog police team led by SPO3 Antonio Lura after a week-long investigation identified the suspect as 42 year old Julian Ablay Biasong a resident of Barangay 25, Paterno Extension, Tacloban City.

According to a Tacloban police source Biasong had reported the incident to the Traffic Management Group there and was now negotiating with the victim’s family for a financial settlement. He said he did not stop because he feared the nearby residents in Barangay Iba would harm him.

Bad Loser Stabs Friend

BARANGAY PANIAN, SAINT BERNARD - A 59 year old resident was stabbed here by his neighbor after a heated debate on a still unknown subject. Police claim Severino Gorme Bellada was stabbed in the chest with a “balisong” by Adriano Gorzon Millena his 58 year old friend.

The victim was brought to the Anahawan District Hospital in critical condition. While the suspect who voluntarily surrendered to Barangay Captain Ruperta Rafols was turned over to the St. Bernard police station. Police suspect that booze had something to do with the incident.

Fisherman Hooked

BARANGAY OTICON, LIBAGON - A police team led by Cesar Pedotera arrested seven illegal fishermen while on a seaborne patrol. Police claim the suspects led by Reynaldo Cordova of Brgy. Son-ok, San Francisco were caught using the breathing apparatus called “boso” at a fish sanctuary.

A police spokesman identified the suspects as Teresito Osol, Isidro Osol Sr., Isidro Osol Jr., all resident of Barangay. Obbus, San Francisco and Boyet Saturninas and Bob Delute of Barangay, San Roque, Liloan.
All seven were released after paying a fine.

Hacking & Stabbing Sprees Continue

BARANGAY INGAN, HINUNANGAN – A 43 year old farmer nicknamed “Bolo” was hacked and seriously wounded by his neighbor with (you guessed it) a bolo locally called “Sundang.” The victim Alberto Espanol sustained several gapping wounds and was in critical condition when he was rushed to the Hinunangan Community Hospital and later transferred to the Bethany Hospital in Tacloban City. The suspect Eldy Timbal has been arrested and is now in police custody. Meanwhile in Barangay Catmon in Saint Bernard town a 56 year old farmer was stabbed in the stomach by his long time friend. According to responding policemen the victim Fortunato Bandibas was stabbed by Jerry Valiz after the two had argued during a drinking session. The victim, who their drinking companions claimed had won the argument, was brought to the provincial hospital where he remains in serious condition. The suspect has surrendered and is now detained at the town Jail.

Decomposing Body Found

BARANGAY OLISIHAN, SOGOD – The decomposing body of a 42 year old Barangay Tanod was discovered here by his brother in law. According to investigators the victim Nestor Carinosa had died of a heart attack. Neighbors claim he was depressed because his live-in partner had left him. His brother in law Agapito Bayhonan said he had passed the victim’s house and noticed a foul odor coming from its slightly open window. Police believe Carinosa must have died several days before since his body was already in an advance state of decomposition.

City Enforcer Dies in Accident

BARANGAY DONGON, MAASIN CITY – A 29 year old city enforcer died here when he lost control of his motorcycle and smashed his head on the concrete pavement. Police identified the fatality as Perry Demy Montederamos. Witnesses claim he was on his way home from work when the fatal accident happened.

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