Pre-school teacher raped, stabbed 36 times

MANILA, Philippines - A private pre-school teacher was found naked, apparently raped, and dead from at least 36 stab wounds in her house in Barangay Pasolo, Valenzuela City Sunday, police reported yesterday.

The body of Nerissa de Guia, 43, who worked at the Nuestra Señora de Guia Academy in Barangay Balangkas, was discovered by her son beside the bed in her daughter’s bedroom at around 6 a.m., Police Officer 3 Josefino Pagtama said. Other reports state she worked as a secretary at the school.

Pagtama and village official Henry Villedo said there were indications that De Guia could have been raped before she was killed, but they are waiting for the results of the autopsy to confirm it.

“The victim sustained multiple stab wounds in different parts of her body, including her neck,” said Senior Inspector Arthur Quinones, city police investigation chief. He said the victim’s blood was still fresh when her body was found – an indication that she was killed only a few hours beforehand.

Quinones said De Guia lived with her 15-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son but slept alone in her bedroom.

Initial investigation showed the victim was last seen alive while ironing clothes in her daughter’s bedroom, which was at the ground floor of their house, at around 10 p.m. Saturday.

Police said De Guia allegedly asked to switch bedrooms with her daughter for the night as she would be ironing their clothes.

Investigator Michael Oxina said De Guia may have known her killer as there were no signs of forced entry and no signs of struggle. Quinones said they “don’t have any suspect yet, and we are still trying to establish the real motive in the murder.”

Pagtama confirmed that the victim’s two cell phones and her silver bracelet are missing and could have been stolen. Police suspect the items were taken to mislead investigators as to the motive of the killing.

Witnesses also told police a car was seen parked in front of the victim’s house before the incident was reported.

Pagtama said the case is under further investigation.