Couple found dead inside house in apparent murder-suicide

TAGUM CITY—Police authorities on Friday said a couple were found dead inside a house here on Thursday in an apparent case of murder-suicide.

Supt. Laudemer Laude, Tagum police chief, identified the fatalities as Joebert Betonio, 40, and his 27-year old wife Christine, residents of Purok (community) 1-A, Magdum village.

Police said the man was found hanging with a piece of cloth wound around his neck and the other end tied to a beam inside the house.

The woman was found sprawled on the floor, her neck bearing bruises.

Neighbors discovered the bodies after they checked on the Betonios’ house before noon Thursday, when the couple had failed to come out.

Investigators were looking at jealousy as a possible motive after an alleged suicide note by Joebert was found at the scene. The couple had reportedly been quarreling for some time now over the woman’s work as an attendant at a lottery outlet in downtown Tagum.

The Betonios had three children but it was not immediately known if they were at the house when it happened.

The husband might have strangled the woman first, then hanged himself, police said, even as investigation into the incident was underway.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please reach out to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). Their crisis hotlines are available at 1553 (Luzon-wide landline toll-free), 0917-899-USAP (8727), 0966-351-4518, and 0908-639-2672. For more information, visit their website: (https://doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline)

Alternatively, you can contact Hopeline PH at the following numbers: 0917-5584673, 0918-8734673, 88044673. Additional resources are available at ngf-mindstrong.org, or connect with them on Facebook at Hopeline PH.