Man wanted for wife’s murder falls

MANILA, Philippines - A man wanted for stabbing his wife 34 times in front of their two children in May 2014 was arrested in Manila Friday.

Senen Navarro, 36, had a knife in his backpack when he was arrested by police officers from the Manila Police District’s Station 8 as he was knocking on the gate of a relative’s house in Sta. Mesa.

Navarro’s arrest stemmed from an arrest warrant for murder issued by Judge Lily de Vera-Vallo of the Tarlac City Regional Trial Court Branch 64, according to station commander Superintendent Fernando Opelano.

Navarro reportedly stabbed his wife, Rochelle, out of jealousy, accusing her of having an affair.

Navarro had been in hiding since then. Opelano said they received a tip that Navarro would arrive in Manila on Friday night.

According to earlier reports, Navarro  – who reportedly drank and used illegal drugs – would regularly beat up his wife until she complained to the police and had him put in jail in 2012.

They reconciled when he was released, but he started drinking again and being abusive when she gave birth to their second child, ABS-CBN reported.