Widow stabbed 30 times in Tarlac; 2 suspects arrested

By Mar T. Supnad and Nelson Bolos

PANIQUI, Tarlac — Diligence and luck paid off for homicide investigators who solved in 12 hours the killing of a 76-year-old widow, who was stabbed 30 times inside her home in this town last week.

Supt. Salvador Destura, Jr., local police chief, said Marcelina Villanueva, a widow who lived alone in her house in Barangay Poblacion Norte, was found dead around 10:30 a.m. Dec. 5.

By 10 p.m. of the same day, suspects Rodel R. Cortez, 18, and Jayson B. Briones, both of Barangay Samput, here, were arrested and executed an extra-judicial confession for killing the old woman.

 “Upon receiving the report of Mrs. Yu’s killing, we immediately mobilized our assets (police informers) and focused our Intel-work on the personalities listed in our rogue gallery,” said Destura. “Around 8 that evening, we began receiving hints on the identity of the suspects,” he said.

It was learned that a police asset had overheard Cortez, Briones and a third suspect – Jayson Villanueva – arguing at a public place over the stabbing of the old woman.

“Around 8 that evening, we began receiving hints of the suspects. Until an informant came who claimed to have heard Briones, Cortez and one Jayson Villanueva heatedly arguing over the stabbing of the old woman,” said Destura.

“Apparently, the three (Cortez, Briones, and Villanueva) planned only to rob the house of the old lady with Villanueva as the look-out. But Mrs. Yu was roused from sleep and caught Cortez and Briones in her kitchen. That’s why they killed her,” he said.

Upon the arrest of the two, Briones’ confession led to the recovery of the bloodied shirts he and Cortez wore when they repeatedly stabbed Yu to death. Later, Briones signed a confession before lawyer Rolando Gragasin of the local Public Attorney’s Office, but Villanueva remains at large.

Briones’ confession led to the recovery of the bloodied shirts he and Cortez wore when they repeatedly stabbed to death the old widow.

Destura also revealed that Cortez was previously charged of frustrated murder while Briones for theft.

“PO3 Richard Sapad, our intel unit head, and PO2 Mario Simon led the arrest of Cortez and Briones at around 10 in that evening”, disclosed Destura.

Jayson Villanueva, however, eluded arrest and still at-large. 

Tarlac police provincial director Senior Supt Alex Sintin commended Destura for immediately solving the brutal murder of Yu.

“Superintendent Destura and his men deserve a commendation for immediately solving a heinous murder case,” Sintin said. “The support and cooperation of the people of Paniqui town in solving a crime means they respect and trust our police”.