Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur – A wave of shock and outrage now grips Barangay Astorga after the lifeless bodies of a couple were discovered in separate locations in Sitio Cebulan early Wednesday morning, August 20, 2025.
The victims, identified as live-in partners Estelita Mahinay and Avilino Gabutero, both senior citizens, were mercilessly killed in what police initially believe to be a case of robbery and homicide.
According to reports, their son-in-law arrived at the couple’s modest home around 6:00 a.m. only to find Estelita sprawled inside the house, drenched in her own blood from multiple stab wounds. Her partner Avilino was later found some 200 meters away in a grassy area, bearing severe head injuries believed to have been inflicted with a hammer. Authorities suspect he tried to escape but was chased down and finished off by the perpetrators.
The gruesome scene has left residents horrified. The brutality of the attack—striking an elderly couple in the sanctity of their own home—has drawn condemnation from the community, with many describing the act as “senseless, heartless, and inhumane.”
Police investigators from the Sta. Cruz Municipal Police Station have already secured the crime scene and are conducting a thorough probe. The victims’ remains are set to undergo autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, while authorities continue to track down those responsible.
Local leaders and citizens alike are calling for swift justice, urging law enforcement to leave no stone unturned in bringing the killers to account.
What should have been an ordinary morning in Astorga has instead become a chilling reminder of the vulnerability of the elderly—and the urgency for communities to stand against such barbaric acts.