FEMALE RICE TRADER KILLED, ROBBED BY HELPER IN PAMPANGA

BY KEVIN GALANG

AN owner of a rice trading business on Sunday  was stabbed dead and robbed by the family’s own helper inside the warehouse office in  Candaba, Pampanga.

Slain was Lavina Gulapa, 69, of Bgy. Barangca, Candaba, Pampanga., according to a report to Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr. by the Candaba police.

Based on investigation suspect Gerome Santiago, a helper residing in Bgy. Lourdes, Candaba, was left alone with the victim at the warehouse when the victim’s husband Rogelio, and another helper Pablo Evangelista, went to San Ildefonso, Bulacan to deliver rice.

When the husband returned to the warehouse, he  found at the office room her wife  lying on the floor, with stab wounds on the chest, and strangulation mark on the neck.

The victim was rushed to the Emmanuel Vera Hospital in San Miguel, Bulacan but was declared dead upon arrival. 

The suspect was nowhere to be found, along with the P60,000 cash and a cal .45 pistol with magazine registered to Rogelio..

Members of the Candaba police are conducting  pursuit operations for the possible arrest of the suspect.