A 62-year-old husband was bashed to death with a 10-kilo dumbbell by his own wife in Zarraga town, Province of Iloilo.
The 59-year-old wife heard voices allegedly in her head that instructed her to bash her husband with the improvised dumbbell.
The incident happened inside their house in Barangay Ilawod Poblacion at about 1 p.m. on October 13, 2024.
Based on police investigation, the two never had any squabble or verbal tussle that could have fueled the incident. In fact, neighbors said that the two are a “sweet couple.”
The two are childless but have a companion on weekdays. Their houseboy would leave for home on weekends.
“For 30 years nga pag-asawahay nila, wala sila bata. Duha lang sila sa balay gaupod. May houseboy na sila nga weekdays lang gatinir sa ila pero kung weekends nagapuli ina (For 30 years na pagiging mag-asawa nila, wala sila anak. Dalawa lang silang nagsasama sa bahay. May houseboy sila na weekdays lang nananatili sa kanila, ngunit kung weekend umuuwi),” Captain Dandy Ilalto, officer in charge of Zarraga Municipal Police Station, said.
The suspect surrendered to the Zarraga Municipal Police.
The incident shocked, and perplexed, neighbors at the same time, because they have not heard of the two quarrelling ever since they have known them.
“Indi mo mabatian nga gabaisay. Ang sweetness sang isa ka mag-asawa ara sa ila ke tungod indi magkaon ang isa kun wala ang isa (Hindi mo maririnig na nagtatalo. Ang sweetness ng isang mag-asawa nasa kanila dahil hindi kumakain ang isa kung wala yung isa),” a neighbor named Ramon Matutina said.
The suspect’s elder sibling, alias “Inday,” said that her sister is suffering reportedly from bipolar disorder for two decades already. The woman's early retirement from work as a teacher stemmed from the medical condition.
Alias "Inday" said that her sister has not slept well for six days prior to the incident. She heard reportedly voices that prompted her to bash her husband using the dumbbell.
On October 14, 2024, she was set to visit a psychiatrist.
“Nakainom sang bulong pero lain nga brand nahatag sa iya mga one week. Then nagtawag ako sa iya, gabisyo iya kuno tulog (Naka-inom ng gamot ngunit ibang brand ang naibigay sa kanya mga one week. Then tumawag ako sa kanya, may problema umano siya sa pagtulog),” alias “Inday” further disclosed.
According to a psychiatrist, it is possible for one suffering from bipolar disorder with psychotic features to hear voices, but there is medication for the condition and mood swings of the patient.
There is also talk therapy or supportive psychotherapy.
"Part sang pagpabulong sa ila ang family involvement kay syempre kun ang pamilya ang nagadala sa ila sa check-up. May pag-asa gid ang bipolar disorder nga ma-treat ina siya (Part ng pagpapagamot sa kanila ang family involvement kasi siyempre, ang pamilya ang nagdadala sa kanila sa check-up. Mayroong pag-asa ang bipolar disorder na ma-treat sya),” Dr. Daisy Daquilanea, psychiatrist, said in an interview over GMA Super Radyo Iloilo.
It is important, according to Dr. Daquilanea, that the patient gets immediate medical attention at the onset of the symptoms such as experiencing a whirlwind of emotions (either too much joy or too much sadness), irritability, sleep and eating disorders, among others.
According to the police, the family of the victim will not pursue a case against the suspect.
