Man, 22, indicted for trying to kill girlfriend’s mother

CEBU, Philippines - A 22-year-old man was indicted before the court for allegedly attacking the mother of his live-in partner.  Cebu City state prosecutor Ruso Zaragoza found probable cause for frustrated murder and held Jhomel Erabola, a resident of Sitio All Season III, Barangay Cogon-Pardo, for trial.

“Wherefore, premises considered, it is herewith recommended that a charge for frustrated murder be filed against the herein respondent with the aggravating circumstance of the gender of complainant and evidence premeditation,” the resolution read.

Zaragoza recommended P40,000 bail for Erabola’s temporary liberty.

Complainant Marlina Cinco, 52, alleged that on August 22 last year, at around 3 p.m., she was on her way to get a pail of water when Erabola, her daughter’s live-in partner, blocked her way.

The suspect, who was holding a piece of wood with a sharp nail at its tip, hit Cinco with it.

The victim said that before the suspect hit her, he said: “Naa ra diay ka. Patyon tika. Puslan man dili mobalik imong anak nako, patyon tika. (Since your daughter won’t come back to me, I might as well kill you).”

Cinco further said that aside from the wood, Erabola likewise hit her with a stone. This caused her to slump to the ground and become unconscious.

After the incident, the suspect rode on a motorcycle and fled while the victim was brought to the hospital.  Zaragoza summoned the suspect to file his counter-affidavit, but he failed to do so.

The prosecutor, based on the foregoing facts, found a reasonable ground to hold Erabola of the offense charged.

“As shown in the facts, the deliberate intent can be discerned from the words and actuations of the respondent whereas he has ill feelings and motive to harm and kill the complainant. He had premeditated that attack by waiting opportune time to ensure success of his plan by waylaying and surprising the complainant who was caught unaware of his unlawful acts,” the resolution read.  (FREEMAN)