3 kids survive stabbing rampage

Three children and a family friend, who acts as their guardian, survived a stabbing attack by their own helper shortly before dawn yesterday in Caloocan City.

The victims — two brothers, aged four and seven, their sister, 11, all surnamed Ampiuco, and one Honey Fajardo, 27, are now confined at the Manila Central University (MCU) Hospital for treatment of multiple stab wounds.

Police investigators said that at around 3:45 a.m., the family helper, Pepito "Peping" Joson, 55, arrived drunk at the Ampiuco residence located on Sabalo street in Barangay 12, Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City.

Police said Fajardo later confronted Joson after she saw him touching the private parts of the sleeping 11-year-old girl.

Her accusation angered Joson, who grabbed a knife from the kitchen and attacked Fajardo. She was stabbed several times in the body.

A still fuming Joson then attacked the sleeping children.

The girl, however, was awakened and tried to put up a fight. She was able to run outside.

The suspect chased the girl, but when he failed to catch up with the child, he threw a knife at her, hitting her in the back.

The suspect escaped after the incident and is now being hunted by police.

Jovita Estoy, 78, the victims’ neighbor, said she saw the suspect attacking the victims with a knife.

Concerned residents rushed the children and Fajardo to the MCU Hospital in Caloocan City for treatment.

Police said all four are now out of danger.

According to the victims’ neighbors, the children’s mother, Marissa Ampiuco, who is separated from her husband, was not in the house when the attack took place.

They said she often entrusts her children to Fajardo’s care.