BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – A 63-year-old woman fended off an attack by a strapping young man and neighbor who allegedly entered her house while she was sound asleep near midnight in Sangay, a sugar plantation in Purisima village.
The widow, Elizabeth Lagarto Maniapao was alone in her home on 6 November in Manapla town, around 47 kilometers north of here, when she was assaulted by the suspect identified by the police as Joselito Barrientos Luciendo, 24.
The suspect lives in the same community.
Town police chief, Major Joevito Bose, reported the victim told them she was suddenly awakened when she felt the suspect grabbing both her hands.
She told police she fought back but the suspect stabbed her using an unidentified weapon after which she tried to get the shovel to defend herself.
The suspect got it first then struck her with it.
An “altercation,” followed according to the police after which the drunk suspect fell asleep beside her.
This gave the victim the chance to flee to her sister’s house nearby to ask for help.
Village officials and policemen who came to help the victim then went to her house.
The suspect was gone and Elizabeth was brought to a government hospital where she is still being treated for her wounds.
