Sleeping Couple Stabbed by Neighbor in Iloilo City

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A couple was wounded in a knife attack inside their home in Barangay East Baluarte, Molo, Iloilo City on the evening of May 13.

Fatima, 54, and her husband, 58-year-old Rolando, were already asleep when their neighbor broke in.

Reports said the suspect, 28-year-old Erwin, entered the family home and went straight to the room where Fatima and her three daughters were sleeping.

He immediately stabbed Fatima while reportedly confronting her.

Witnesses heard Erwin accusing Fatima of taking a video of him.

Rolando rushed out from an adjacent room upon hearing the commotion, but the suspect also stabbed him.

The couple sustained multiple stab wounds and were rushed to Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital for treatment.

Capt. Ryan Christ Inot, chief of Iloilo City Police Station 4, said the suspect’s father, 60-year-old Eliseo, was also present during the attack.

However, Eliseo allegedly made no attempt to stop his son from stabbing the couple.

The suspects fled the scene after the incident.

Eliseo was arrested in a hot pursuit operation, but Erwin remains at large as of press time.

Eliseo told police he saw his son holding a knife before the incident, prompting him to follow Erwin to the victims’ house.

Investigators believe the attack stemmed from Erwin’s belief that Fatima recorded a video of him.

Barangay Captain Gary Patnubay said there was a time Fatima passed by Erwin while holding her mobile phone.

Erwin allegedly thought she had recorded him.

Patnubay said the couple and the suspect had longstanding tensions.

The conflict reportedly began with a fight between their children, which eventually involved the parents.

The issue was previously settled before the barangay lupon.

Last week, Erwin reportedly confronted Rolando for allegedly staring at him.

There was also a report that the couple informed barangay officials they had seen the suspects sniffing marijuana.

Inot said Fatima remains in critical condition after sustaining eight stab wounds.

Rolando suffered injuries to his arm and hand.