Tapaz police identify persons of interest in OFW killing

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Police have identified persons of interest in the killing of a 34-year-old overseas Filipino worker who was found dead Tuesday morning, March 3, in Barangay Taft, Tapaz, Capiz.

The victim, identified only by the alias “Jove,” recently returned from Kuwait and was a resident of Barangay Nayawan, Tapaz, but was temporarily staying at her sister’s house in Barangay Taft, police said.

Police said the victim’s younger sister, identified only by the alias “Jena,” found her lifeless beside her bed.

An initial investigation by Tapaz police showed the sister went downstairs from her second-floor room to check on the victim after she had not left her room for several hours.

Jena said that around 10 p.m., she heard her sister having conversations on the cellphone before the body was discovered.

P/Maj. Gregg Anthony V. Salbang, chief of the Tapaz Municipal Police Station, said an autopsy found the victim sustained a stab wound in the middle of her chest that caused her death.

Salbang said no bladed weapon was recovered from the scene.

Police said the victim was found without underwear, and investigators are looking into the possibility of sexual assault.

Authorities said they are continuing the investigation to identify the suspects.