Cash aid extended to slay victim’s kin

CEBU, Philippines - Senator Alan Peter Cayetano extended P10,000 cash assistance to Jomelyn Figues, the wife of the man who massacred their three children and mother-in-law in Sitio Manlayag, Barangay Panalipan, Catmon.

Cayetano’s political affairs officer, Rey Martinez, handed over the cash to Figues at the office of Provincial Board Member Miguel Antonio Magpale at the Capitol yesterday. Panalipan barangay captain Marlon Rule accompanied Figues and her sister.

 Martinez said it was Magpale who asked Cayetano if he could extend assistance to Figues who lost her three children and her mother after they were stabbed to death by her husband, Eric, who also killed himself.

“Kinahanglan di ka pawa sa paglaum, enjoy the sunrise and keep it up, we have to move on and face the future, there is hope and have faith in God,” Martinez told Jomelyn.

 Magpale said aside from Cayetano, they have already raised more than P20,000 from the local government of Catmon through Mayor Dan Jusay, PB Member Jude Thaddeus Sybico, Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante Jr., and the Philippine Councilors League.

 He said the provincial government also shouldered the burial expenses of the victims who were buried last Sunday.

 Jomelyn said she would have to start a new life now and she is set to return to work at the Mactan Export Processing Zone on Monday.

 Eric, 27, killed his daughter Stephanne, six, who was celebrating her birthday on the day of the massacre; John Eric, four; Erica Lynn, one year old; and his mother-in-law Emilda Molat, 47, by stabbing them with an 11-inch long knife.

 The only survivor of the incident was his father-in-law Josepher, 58, while Jomelyn was at work when the incident happened on October 5.   (FREEMAN)