Man charged for partner’s death due to beating

MANILA, Philippines - A 23-year-old man is facing a homicide charge for allegedly beating his teenage partner, causing her death on Oct. 7.

Inquest fiscal Rowena Balagtas, however, recommended further investigation of the charge against Anthony Martinez, citing there was no eyewitness to the incident. Martinez was released pending the preliminary investigation of the case.

Martinez and Leira Jazzmin Toloza, 19, lived together on Kaliraya street in Barangay Tatalon for the past three years, Senior Police Officer 1 Eric Lazo said.

On Oct. 7, Toloza was at her grandmother’s house in Caloocan City when she lost consciousness and collapsed on the dining table.

 She was rushed to Caloocan Medical Center where she was declared dead on arrival. A medico-legal report cited “acute myocardial infarction.”

Lazo noted that the teenager had told her grandmother and a cousin that Martinez allegedly beat her up at their house in Quezon City.

Later that night, Toloza’s relatives went to the Tatalon barangay hall to seek help in inviting her partner for questioning, but Martinez went hiding.

Martinez surrendered through a television program the next day and was turned over to the police.