Frustrated murder charges against ex-job order worker

Walter Jayson, married to one of the granddaughters of victim Faustina Gilay, showed the living room where the assault occurred at her home in Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON

A complaint for frustrated murder was filed against a former Cebu City Hall job order worker accused of gouging out the eyes of an elderly manghihilot (masseuse) in Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City last Wednesday.

Manuel Sumalpong was charged at the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday for allegedly attacking 79-year-old widow Faustina Gilay.

“We arrested the suspect for serious physical injuries but in our investigation, we found out that there was an intent to kill because there were witnesses who saw him choking the victim before injuring her eyes,” said Chief Insp. Keith Andaya, chief of the Sawang Calero police precinct.

The suspect remained incoherent after he was arrested. Sawang Calero Barangay Chairman Ariel Yburan said the suspect is a frequent marijuana user.

Some neighbors said the suspect had been suffering from a nervous breakdown and was acting strangely before the attack.

“We cannot ascertain if he is in the right state of mind. Our initial concern is to file a case against him and we will wait for a recommendation if a psychological test is needed,” Andaya said.

The incident began with Sumalpong visiting Gilay’s house at 10 a.m. last Wednesday and asking if she could give him a massage.

The victim declined the suspect’s request, saying she was not feeling well which angered Sumalpong and caused him to attack Gilay. He fled the house but was later arrested by barangay officials and bystanders.

The victim was rushed to the hospital, and her right eyeball was found in her living room.

The victim was confined at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.