Man to face murder case for death of live-in partner

CEBU, Philippines — Four children lost their parents when their father ended up in jail after he threw boiling soup at their mother that resulted in her death in Good Shepherd, Banawa, Barangay Guadalupe last Friday.

Guadalupe Police Station chief Captain Dexter Basirgo told reporters that murder charges will be filed against suspect Raul Quecho, 45, for killing his common-law wife, Maria Theresa Omagac, 43.

Their children, aged 15, 12, 9 and 5, witnessed how their father attacked their mother when they were about to have dinner last Friday.

The 15-year-old son narrated in an interview with Balitang Bisdak that his parents fought in front of them.

He revealed that her mother is the third woman in his father’s life.  Last Friday, his mother saw a wedding photo of his father and his former wife posted on social media.

This angered his mother and she yelled at his father.

Quecho resorted to violence by strangling and hitting Omagac.  Then, he squeezed pepper to a hot bowl of boiled chicken before throwing it to Omagac’s face.

The attack bruised Omagac in the neck causing swelling in her throat which slowed down her movements.

By Sunday, Omagac was found dead in her bed. Police confirmed that there was foul play in her death.

The police investigators found bruises in her eye, chin, neck, and legs. Basirgo also said that burn marks from boiling water were visible.

“Ato na-conclude naa foul play kay obvious kaayo naa pasa og paso sa nawng sa biktima,” Police Major Basirgo said. (We have concluded that there was foul play because of the bruises and burn marks.)

He said that Quecho ran away after the incident but came back on Monday. Basirgo said a neighbor tipped them of the husband’s presence and they immediately responded leading to his arrest.

Basirgo added Quecho remained mum all throughout the investigation.

He is temporarily detained in Cebu City Police Office headquarters pending filing of murder charges.

The 15-year-old son said they want justice for their mother.  However, he is also worried who will provide for them now that their father is in jail.

Quecho worked as a technician to provide for his family.

Omagac’s brother, Allan, said that they want to see Quecho in jail.  They feared that if he will be released, his father might become a criminal as he swore to avenge the death of his daughter.

Both Allan and the 15-year-old son said that whenever Quecho is angry, he becomes violent and hit his children and wife.  — MBG (FREEMAN)