Man commits suicide after allegedly raping 2 minors

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A man committed suicide by stabbing himself to death after reportedly raping his live-in partner’s two daughters, who were all minors in Liloy town, Zamboanga del Norte, police said Monday.

Police identified the suspect as a certain Arcinio Martonillas, 31, single and a native of Barangay Mabuhay, while the identities of the  victims of sexual molestations aged 6 and 8 were held for their protection, according to Police Inspector Dahlan Samuddin, public affairs chief of Police Regional Office 9.

Samuddin said police investigation disclosed that the victims’ mother reported to the police that while she was at Barangay Polando, Leon Postigo town, the suspect allegedly raped her daughters.

The investigator said the suspect even warned the mother that he will commit suicide if she will report the incident to the police.

Samuddin said the mother of the victims immediately coordinated with the village chair and reported to the police Friday afternoon for the arrest of the suspect.

Responding police personnel immediately swooped down the house of the victim for the arrest, however, the arresting police team reportedly heard a loud thumping sound that prompted them to barge inside the house. They saw the bloodied body of the suspect lying down on the floor with a machete. He had a stab wound on the stomach.

The rape suspect was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital for possible treatment but the attending physician declared him dead upon arrival.