Man mauls to death mother-in-law, 73

CEBU, Philippines - A 73-year old woman was mauled to death in her house by her own son-in-law in Sitio Guwa, Brgy. Manguiao, Asturias, Cebu on Sunday afternoon.

The victim, identified as Erlinda Lonzaga Ponce, was found by police lying on the floor of her room, already dead with blood on her mouth.

The suspect Nemesio Senarlo, 53, farmer and a resident of the same barangay, allegedly got angry because of harsh words said to him by his mother-in-law.

The suspect's son, Rimar Senario, saw his father maul the victim and kick her many times, which caused her to vomit blood and slump down to the ground.

The son immediately reported the incident to the police, but the suspect was nowhere to be found when police arrived in Ponce's house.

According to PO3 Neilo Avendonado, arresting officer of Asturias Police Station, the son said his father might have been under the influence of liquor when the incident happened.

Meanwhile yesterday afternoon, the suspect, accompanied by Councilor Julito Senario of Barangay Manguiao, appeared at Asturias Police Station and surrendered voluntarily.

When interrogated, the suspect said his mother-in-law cursed him with hurtful words like "patay-gutom" and "wala'y klaro nga trabaho", according to police. Suspect is now detained in Asturias Police Station.

The body of the victim has been brought to Gemma Funeral Homes for autopsy. (FREEMAN)