Woman killed by partner in Manila cemetery slums

A 65-year-old woman was killed by her live-in partner at Manila North Cemetery after a heated altercation Monday night. The couple were among the informal settlers living among the tombs and mausoleums, police said.

Romila Banac was first punched in the face by Romeo Torres, a 64-year-old tricycle driver, according to SPO3 Rodrigo Reyes Jr. of the Manila Police District. Torres then left their shanty and later came back drunk. Still angry, he found a piece of wood and repeatedly hit Banac with it, knocking her unconscious, Reyes said, quoting eyewitnesses.

The suspect was later seen carrying Banac to a mausoleum. A concerned citizen reported the incident to Wilfredo Lazaro, officer in charge of Manila North, who then prevented Torres from fleeing. Banac was later found dead inside the mausoleum and Torres was turned over to the MPD’s homicide division to face charges.

According to the suspect, he and Banac had a fight that got out of hand after she refused to join him for dinner, and that he never intended to kill her. The couple had been living together for 10 years, the MPD said.–Andronico del Rosario