Pregnant woman stabbed over P1T

CEBU, Philippines - An eight-month pregnant woman was injured after she was stabbed by her live-in-partner’s cousin in sitio Panaghiusa, Barangay Duljo-Fatima last Tuesday. Mary Ann Salonoy, 28, was stabbed twice in the back by Francisco Rodriguez, Jr., 23, who was arrested after he was shot by an unidentified assailant while he was trying to flee.

Investigation showed that Salonoy stepped outside her house and went to a nearby store to buy drinks at 11 am last Tuesday when Rodriguez, who was allegedly mentally disturbed, suddenly approached her.

Rodriguez, who was armed with a knife, stabbed Salonoy without any word. PO3 Leroy Baguio of the Homicide Section said the suspect was targeting the victim’s bulging stomach but the latter was luckily able to evade the attack and turned her back on the suspect.

The suspect stabbed her back twice before fleeing from the area.

Salonoy was rushed by neighbors to the Cebu City Medical Center and was later transferred to Chong Hua Hospital because she showed indications that she was about to deliver her baby.

Rodriguez, on the other hand, tried to escape but shortly after, he was shot and hit on the right leg by an unidentified neighbor.

The suspect, who allegedly became mentally disturbed owing to frequent illegal drug intake, was also taken to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

Police arrested Rodriguez after he was positively identified by witnesses as the same person who stabbed the pregnant victim.

Baguio said Rodriguez was mad at Salonoy because she reportedly failed to turn over the suspect’s P1,000 to his live-in-partner two weeks ago.

“Wa ta kahibaw dis-a nang P1,000 but gipahatag daw na niya sa iyang live-in partner but wala mahatag sa biktima. Gisigehan niya ug sukot but wa na kahatag ang biktima kay tingali nagasto na, mao tong pagkahigayon, gidunggab niya ang biktima, (We don’t know where the money came from but it was it was supposed to be giving to his live-in partner which the victim failed to do. He kept on asking for the money but the victim wasn’t able to give it perhaps because she spent it already. When he got the chance, he stabbed the victim.)” Baguio said.

Police are yet to identify the man who shot the suspect. Salonoy is now in a stable condition, he said.  (FREEMAN)