Man kills in-laws in Guimaras knife attack

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An elderly couple died after a knife attack on the evening of July 15 at Barangay Aguilar in San Lorenzo, Guimaras.

The suspect? Their deceased daughter’s 39-year-old husband.

Alias Raymond was arrested in a hot pursuit operation at his parents’ home in Barangay Montpiller, Buenavista, Guimaras.

According to reports, Raymond had a heated argument with his 68-year-old parents-in-law, Jose and Estelita, shortly before the incident.

The verbal tussle led the suspect to grab a knife and stab Jose multiple times before attacking Estelita.

Raymond’s eldest child reportedly witnessed the incident.

The victims’ daughter, Ria, and her visitor, Archie, tried to stop the attack by hitting Raymond with a piece of wood.

Raymond also assaulted them.

Ria and Archie sustained stab wounds to their right shoulders.

Relatives brought the victims to Dr. Catalino Nava Provincial Hospital in Jordan, but the couple was declared dead shortly after arrival.

Raymond admitted he was under the influence of alcohol during the incident.

He claimed he was so blinded by rage that he could not remember how many times he stabbed his in-laws.

He said he took his motorcycle key and fled.

Before the incident, he had come from Barangay Montpiller, where he is building a home for his children and new partner.

Raymond’s wife died in April 2024.

They have three children aged 3, 9, and 11.

Before heading home, Raymond stopped at Barangay Piña, where he had drinks with his girlfriend’s cousin.

He arrived at the compound in Barangay Aguilar, San Lorenzo, around 8 p.m., where he lives next to his in-laws and their extended family.

Raymond claimed he became angry after seeing dirt in the area where he usually parked his motorcycle.

He said it was the third time it happened and believed it was intentional.

He confronted the victims, which led to a shouting match.

At the height of the argument, he said he grabbed a kitchen knife and attacked the couple.

However, Guimaras police chief Col. Rhea Santos said the real trigger was the couple’s disapproval of Raymond bringing his new partner into the home he shared with his children.

Raymond was allegedly heard saying, “Patyon ko na sila” (I will kill them).

“There had long been tension,” Santos said in Filipino. “His wife just died last year, and he’s already bringing another woman home.”

She added that as Raymond shouted, his father-in-law came to check and was immediately attacked, followed by Estelita.

Raymond told authorities the stabbing was the result of long-standing resentment toward his in-laws.

He said he had already planned to move to his parents’ property.

He also claimed that he was previously assaulted by his brother-in-law but chose not to retaliate.

The Guimaras Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has filed two counts of murder and two counts of attempted homicide against him.