Man kills friend’s wife after rape try

Slits toddler’s throat

MANILA, Philippines - A 32-year-old electrician was caught after killing his friend’s wife, whom he tried to rape, and slitting the throat of her three-year-old daughter in Camarin, Caloocan City Thursday afternoon.

Jayson del Valle was found hiding in the ceiling by police officers who were examining the house of Janelle Mangulabnan, 25, in Phase 6, Barangay 178, at around 3 p.m., said Chief Inspector Ilustre Mendoza, city police investigation chief.

Del Valle said he tried to rape Mangulabnan while they were having a drink in her house. She resisted, so he killed her, he told police.

Mendoza said when the victim’s daughter started crying, Del Valle slit the child’s throat.

The husband of Mangulabnan, who worked as a tarpaulin maker, is a seaman who also happens to be the godfather of Del Valle’s child. 

The crime was discovered by Mangulabnan’s father, Rodelio, who went to her house at around 9 a.m. to bring his granddaughter to school.

He told police no one answered when he knocked on the gate, which was locked from inside.

Rodelio said he tried calling his daughter’s mobile phone and became worried when she failed to answer. He broke the lock on the gate and made his way into the house to find his granddaughter bleeding. 

The girl was taken to the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, where she was reported to be in critical condition.

At around 3 p.m., police officers returned to the house to check and one of them noticed a panel in the ceiling was open. They found Del Valle hiding and arrested him.

An official said Del Valle may have been waiting for dusk to make his escape.

Mendoza said a substantial amount of money was also missing from the house.

Del Valle was charged with attempted rape, homicide and attempted murder.