ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A policeman repeatedly stabbed his estranged wife following an argument in Dueñas town of Iloilo.
However, while the wife, Rodella Marabi, survived, Police Officer 2 Jessie James Marabi died after he also plunged the same knife on himself.
Senior Inspector Ronald Paclibar, Dueñas Police chief said, Marabi and Rodella, who was with their 8-year son, met at a roadside at Barangay Sto. Niño around 10 a.m. on Friday. "There was a verbal disagreement between them. PO2 Marabi then pulled his firearm and poked it against Rodella's head," Paclibar said.
Witnesses claimed that the policeman fired his gun---a .38-caliber revolver---twice but Rodella ducked her head and was not hit. They grappled for the possession of the gun until Rodella overpowered Marabi and threw it away. But without her knowing it, the policeman still had a knife, locally known as ponying, which he used to repeatedly stabbed her.
Rodella sustained five stab injuries---two on the right side of the chest, and on his left elbow, back, and lower armpit. When his wife fell down, Marabi stabbed himself thrice on the left side of his chest.
Rodella was brought to the Don Valerio Palmares Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Passi City, while Marabi died on the spot.
Barangay Captain Gil Catalan later turned over to the police the knife and Marabi's .38-caliber revolver with four bullets and two empty shells. It can be noted that it was not the first time Marabi and his wife have been on the spotlight.
Marabi was earlier relieved from his post at Maasin Police Station after he was accused of indiscriminate firing on February 7 this year. He allegedly figured in a violent fight with his wife, who was forced to flee from their home.
Marabi was later arrested and detained at the station's lock-up cell, and was charged with an administrative case, and criminal cases on alarm and scandal as well as violation of the Comelec gun ban. (FREEMAN)