Man tries to burn woman, kids alive
CEBU, Philippines - A man was arrested after he allegedly locked his live-in partner and their two children inside their house and then tried to burn them alive last Saturday evening in Barangay Poblacion, Asturias town.
Roel Pitog, 41, locked Cecilia Navaja along with their children, aged 10 and 11, then set fire to the house. However, the three were later able to escape by jumping out of the window.
The victims were outside the house when Pitog arrived and suddenly shouted at them and they rushed inside for protection.
“Nag-threat pa gyud ning suspek nga kung dili siya mamatay anang gabhiona, iyang pamilya iyang patyon dayong panghagis,†said SPO3 Dennis Nocos.
He was allegedly drunk or high at the time, but police have yet to confirm this.
Navaja and their children huddled together inside the house as Pitog padlocked the door from outside and started a fire beneath their house which was made of light materials.
“Hapit na sila ma-suffocate sa sulod kay nisulod na ang aso dihang giabli sa mama ang bintana,†Nocos said.
One of the children of Navaja peeped out the window to check for Pitog and when they were sure he was gone, they made their way out of the house through the window one by one.
The victims sought help from their neighbors who helped them put out the fire.
“Ang asawa ninghangyo intawn nga sa police station matulog kay gakurog-kurog hasta ang mga bata,†Nocos said.
In a follow-up operation, Pitog was arrested Sunday morning just outside their house.
Charges for arson and violation of Republic Act 9262 or Violence Against Women and their Children were filed against Pitog yesterday at the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. —(FREEMAN)
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