A25-year-old woman and her two children were supposed to head out to the beach last Sunday but plans for a family outing ended in tragedy.
Rhea Mae Caminade was fatally stabbed by her estranged husband in front of their children in a relative’s house in barangay Marangog, Bogo City, northern Cebu last Sunday.
Police said the suspect identified as Gregorio Caminade fled after the attack. A parricide case has been filed against him.
Police said Gregorio barged into the house of the victim’s aunt and repeatedly stabbed the woman in the neck, killing her instantly.
Perla Rosal, the victim’s aunt, said Rhea and her kids were preparing food for their beach outing when the husband arrived and attacked her.
When the woman fell to the ground, Gregorio continued stabbing her. The terrified children aged and five and six cried and shouted for help.
Police investigation showed that the couple had not been on good terms for several years and seldom communicated with each other while they were working in Cebu City.
They last saw each other on Feb. 28 when they celebrated their child’s fifth birthday.
Police said the father, a former security guard, wanted to patch things up but the wife refused.
The victim’s father, Eddie Dadula, said Gregorio had been physically abusing his spouse during their marriage.
This was the reason Rhea decided to end the relationship.
Police recovered the knife used in the killing.
Police said social workers will conduct stress debriefing for the two children, who will be placed under the custody of their grandparents.