Man who hacked stepdaughter seeks police custody for safety

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A man facing murder raps for allegedly hacking his stepdaughter to death sought police custody for security reasons.

Gerald dela Cruz, who voluntarily surrendered to Sigma police Monday morning, was taken to the Hall of Justice in Mambusao, Capiz Tuesday morning and requested the Provincial Prosecutors Office that he be placed under police protection.

Dela Cruz, 39, apologized to the victims saying he is ready to face the charges filed against him.

He said that his life is in danger because the families of his victims might seek revenge.

Police Lt. Rey Jayson Gemino, Sigma police chief, said dela Cruz’s request was granted with the assistance of a lawyer from the Public Attorneys’ Office (PAO) while waiting for the warrant of arrest from the court.

The police are still waiting for the filing of the complaint-affidavit of Adalia Avelino-Alvarez, the suspect’s live-in partner, against Dela Cruz before the provincial prosecutors’ office.

He will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9262 (The Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004), murder, and frustrated murder.

Dalia is presently in stable condition at Capiz Doctors’ Hospital here.

Dela Cruz first surrendered to his uncle Ronilo dela Cruz at Brgy. Malapad Cogon also in Sigma town. He immediately submitted an affidavit of voluntary surrender with the police.

The provincial prosecutors set the preliminary investigation of the case on July 14, 2021.

Dela Cruz said that he was very remorseful for killing Gee Bee Bless Avelino-Alvarez, 16, and wounding his live-in partner Adalia Alvarez, 59, both of Barangay Mianay, Sigma, Capiz.

Dela Cruz claimed that he was in a daze when he hacked the two victims in the evening of June 20, 2021.

“Amo gani nga nag surrender ako kay atubangon ko ano man ang akon kaparusahan,” Dela Cruz said.

Gee Bee Bless died on the spot due to fatal injuries in the different parts of the body while Adalia is presently confined at Capiz Doctors Hospital here.