Cordova, Cebu stabbing: Retired Air Force sergeant killed on his birthday by live-in partner

Police officers examine the scene where a retired member of the Philippine Air Force was allegedly killed by his live-in partner on his birthday in Barangay Gabi, Cordova, Cebu on Wednesday, August 23,2023. | Paul Lauro

CEBU CITY, Philippines – A 53-year-old retired member of the Philippine Air Force was killed after his live-in partner allegedly stabbed him to death on his birthday because he was mistreating her.

The stabbing incident took place in a subdivision in Barangay Gabi, Cordova town, Cebu at around 8:20 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23,2023.

The police report showed that personnel from the Cordova Police Station received a call about a stabbing incident from the guard on duty of the subdivision at around 10:00 p.m.

Police identified the victim as 53 year-old Nelson Torres Patalinghug, a widower, and a resident of the subdivision where the incident took place.

Patalinghug is a retired personnel of the Philippine Air Force with the rank of Master Sergeant, according to police.

Police Major Michael Gingoyon, chief of Cordova Police Station, stated in his report that the guard on duty, Joel Roble Sandal, called in for police assistance after a woman approached him.

Based on the initial accounts from the guard, the woman, who had blood on her upper garments, allegedly asked for help, saying that she killed her live-in partner.

Suspect’s reason for stabbing

Personnel from the station led by Police Corporal Gerson Futalan immediately went to the scene to respond to the call, according to the police report.

The suspect was identified by police as Jhona Amodia Espinosa, 44, and the live-in partner of the victim.

The investigation revealed that at the time of the incident, the couple was celebrating the victim’s 53rd birthday inside their residence, said Gingoyon.

He also added in his report that the victim became drunk and allegedly maltreated the suspect.

Because of this, Espinosa allegedly took an eight-and-a-half-inch-long knife and proceeded to stab the victim in his chest.

The victim was immediately brought to the Lapu-Lapu District Hospital for medical treatment but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Police recovered from the scene of the crime the knife allegedly used as a murder weapon and the alleged suspect’s mobile phone.

Apology

Espinosa, who was initially held by the security guard, was arrested and brought to the Cordova Police Station where she is detained, said Gingoyon.

His report also revealed that the alleged suspect will be facing charges of homicide.

Espinosa, while sobbing, told CDN Digital in an interview, that she did not plan to kill her live-in partner.

She also apologized to the family members of the man she killed.

“Pasayloa ko ninyo sa akong nabuhat,” she said. (Forgive me for what I did.)

/bmjo

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