Retiree's son asks for justice

CEBU, Philippines - The family and friends of a 75-year-old retiree who was mauled to death inside her room on Tuesday evening at Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City are asking authorities to solve the killing.

Ronald Cue, 30, the only son of Teresita who was killed inside her room, demands justice for the “brutal and unexpected death” of his mother.

“Gruesome kaayo ang iyang kamatayon. Wala gyud ko mag expect. Mangita gyud mi og hustisya,” he said. (I didn’t expect her to die this way.)

He also believes that who ever killed his mother lives in their neighborhood. Ronald said his mother did not have any enemies as far as he knows, adding that his mother is a carrying and gentle person.

He described the death of his mother as an additional blow after he was hospitalized last February 21.

“Grabe na kaayo ang nahitabo. Naa pa gali mi dako nga utang sa hospital, unya karon namatay akong inahan,” he said sobbing. (We haven’t even recovered yet from my hospitalization and now, this.)

Before discovering her mother’s death, Ronald recalled the last message he received from his mother where she gave him permission to sleep at a friend’s house for the night.

Teresita’s remains will be brought today to Aloguinsan, her hometown.

Autopsy reports revealed that the victim sustained several broken ribs. She also suffered from hemorrhage after her head was hit by a hard object. 

 Scratch marks were found around the victim’s mouth suggesting that she fought her assailant. She also lost a tooth, which means she was punched in the face.

The police initially believe robbery as the motive behind the attack because the victim’s room was in disarray. But with the recent developments, they are eying other motives.  (FREEMAN)