SAF trooper thwarts knife attack by bro-in-law

MANILA, Philippines—The training of a Special Action Force (SAF) commando came in handy after his brother-in-law attacked him with a knife and a pair of scissors in Pasig City on Monday.

Insp. Mario Benito, now assigned with the Eastwood police station of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), suffered a cut in the chin after he thwarted his brother-in-law’s attempt to stab him as he was lying on a couch inside his house on Feliciano Street in Barangay Sagad at 10:15 a.m.

The motive of the suspect, Raul Santiago, has yet to be determined although the police said he and the victim—his wife’s brother—did not get along.

According to SPO1 Rolando Anselmo Jr., Benito had just arrived from work and was lying on a couch in the living room when the suspect barged inside his house and attacked him with a knife and a pair of scissors, wounding him in the chin.

The SAF commando, however, managed to parry the thrusts and go after the suspect who escaped.

When the police sent a team to the area, they easily spotted Santiago as he was walking in the neighborhood still armed with the bladed weapons.

The SAF commando was taken to the hospital while Santiago was arrested and charged with frustrated murder and usurpation of authority.

Barangay officials told the police that the suspect, who lives in Rizal province, was arrested several years ago after he beat up his wife.

At that time, Santiago and his wife lived in Pasig City, just a few houses away from the victim’s.

When arrested, the suspect told authorities that he was a policeman and showed them his badge. It later turned out that he had stolen the badge from Benito. Jovic Yee