M’lang, Cotabato — A farming community in Barangay Buayan is reeling after a 62-year-old farmer was brutally stabbed to death inside his own home in the early hours of Tuesday, February 3, 2026—an incident that took a shocking turn when police confirmed that the suspect was the victim’s own wife, who initially reported the crime herself.
The victim was identified by the M’lang Municipal Police Station as Samson Sapa, a resident of Purok Masipag, Barangay Buayan. Police said Sapa sustained multiple stab wounds to the abdomen, causing his internal organs to protrude. He was declared dead at the scene.
According to police reports, at around 12:40 a.m., the suspect—Marietta Canlas Sapa, 66, the victim’s wife—called the M’lang Police hotline to report that her husband had been attacked. She told authorities that she had been asleep in their bedroom when she allegedly heard her husband screaming for help, followed by a loud noise outside their house. Out of fear, she claimed she did not immediately step out.
Minutes later, she said she checked the living room and found her husband lying lifeless on the floor, soaked in blood.
Responding police officers immediately secured the area and requested the assistance of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) to conduct a thorough forensic examination.
However, during the on-site investigation, police uncovered critical inconsistencies that raised suspicion. Authorities noted no signs of forced entry into the house—suggesting the assailant may have been someone with access to the home. Investigators also observed bloodstains on the suspect’s feet, further deepening suspicion.
These findings led police to consider the wife as a person of interest. After further questioning, authorities said the suspect eventually admitted to killing her husband.
She was immediately informed of her constitutional rights and placed under arrest. The weapon believed to have been used in the stabbing is now in police custody.
As of this writing, the M’lang Municipal Police Station said they are continuing their investigation to determine the motive behind the killing, including whether domestic conflict or other factors may have led to the fatal attack.
The tragic incident has left relatives and neighbors in mourning, underscoring yet another case of violence within the supposed safety of one’s own home. Authorities reminded the public to seek help and report domestic disputes early to prevent similar tragedies from escalating into loss of life.