NAGUILIAN, Isabela – A woman was found dead Tuesday, August 9, in Barangay Quinalabasa here hours after she was reported missing by her husband.
The Isabela Police Provincial Office identified the victim as Josie Bonifacio, 40, of Barangay Quirino, this municipality.
Blood was seen in her body and she sustained lacerations in the neck and both wrists and had severe wounds in the head and body.
Investigation showed that the victim left their house at about 9 a.m. Monday, August 8, to see her doctor at Godswill Hospital in Cauayan City, this province.
She failed to return home and her husband Albert reported her missing to the police at about 11:30 p.m. Monday.
Barangay Captain Marlon Canceran reported to local police that the body of a woman was found in a cornfield at 9 a.m. Her husband positively identified her body.
A team from the Isabela Forensic Unit led by Police Major Loreta dela Cruz processed the area for evidence.
Meanwhile, a 44-year-old tricycle driver was arrested in connection with the woman’s murder Wednesday, August 10.
Police Major Junneil Perez, chief of police here, identified the suspect as Arnel Quitho, 44, of Barangay Magsaysay, this town.
Perez said Quitho was the last person with the victim. Juliet had been using the suspect’s tricycle as her service vehicle.
Police said the victim was often seen with the suspect and has been pestering Quitho to pay his debt.
Quitho assured the victim he will pay her but they had to go somewhere to get the money.
The victim was taken a cornfield where she was stabbed and hacked with a knife.
Perez said the family of the suspect was cooperative and they were able to convince Quitho to tell the truth about the incident.
The suspect confessed to the crime. Police arrested him and was taken to the police station for custody.
Perez said the case is considered solved and the suspect will be charged in court.