Septuagenarian slain in rob try

A 72-YEAR-OLD woman was fatally stabbed by a construction worker who allegedly tried to rob her in her home in barangay Tayud, Lilo-an town, northern Cebu.

Martina Talang suffered a stab wound in the back. She died while being brought to the town’s health center.

The suspect, Jover Verdida, 31, was arrested by police in a follow-up operation.

A murder complaint was filed against the suspect yesterday.

Police said the victim’s daughter identified Verdida as the one who attacked her mother.

The daughter told police that she was in her room when she heard her mother shouting for help past 4 a.m. Monday.

“Tulis! Tabang! Gidunggab ko, gidunggab ko! ” PO3 Reynato Pendo quoted the woman as saying.

The daughter went to her mother’s room to check.

The daughter said a man, whom she later identified as Verdida, ran out of the house upon seeing her.

The woman said she saw her bloodied mother sprawled on the floor and the things inside the room were in disarray.

Police recovered a kitchen knife in the crime scene.

Lilo-an police conducted a follow-up operation and arrested Verdida in his sister’s house in in barangay Pakna-an, Mandaue City.

Police said the suspect admitted the crime.

Police said the suspect had once borrowed money from the victim who was reportedly into money-lending business. /Correspondents Joy Cherry S. Quito and Norman V. Mendoza