Woman stabbed by houseboy inside her Pasig City apartment

(Editor’s Note: This is a corrected version of a story posted earlier)

MANILA, Philippines–A 24-year-old woman has been stabbed allegedly by their own houseboy inside the apartment they are renting in Pasig City, police said.

In a report issued Sunday, police identified the stabbing victim as Melanie Dotarot Avenido. She was resting inside her room at their apartment on 35-R Castillo Street when the suspect, identified as Andrew de Leon Lucis, 27, barged in and stabbed her in the abdomen.

The report said Lucis tried to escape but was cornered by bystanders when the owner of the apartment shouted for help upon seeing the houseboy still holding the knife fleeing the scene.

Avenido was immediately brought to the Pasig General Hospital. Doctors said Sunday she lost a lot of blood but is otherwise stable.

Police said Lucis, who was apparently drunk when he barged into the victim’s room and stabbed her, is now detained at the Pasig City Police station and is scheduled for inquest Monday.

Police were still trying to determine the motive for the stabbing, adding that the suspect could not give clear answers during initial questioning.–Vanessa Hidalgo