COMPOSTELA, Davao de Oro — A 61-year-old woman was brutally killed after she was allegedly hacked multiple times by her 81-year-old husband in the early hours of July 5, 2026, in Purok 11, Barangay San Miguel, Compostela, Davao de Oro.
The victim, identified only by the alias “Ter,” sustained multiple hack wounds on different parts of her body, resulting in her immediate death.
According to the Compostela Municipal Police Station, the fatal incident occurred at around 2:50 a.m. Police investigators said the suspect allegedly attacked his wife using a farm bolo (sundang) commonly used for agricultural work.
Initial investigation revealed that the elderly couple had reportedly been experiencing longstanding marital disputes, which authorities believe may have contributed to the deadly confrontation. However, investigators stressed that the exact motive has yet to be conclusively established, as both the victim’s family and police continue to piece together the circumstances leading to the killing.
Barangay Captain Joel Balili confirmed that the victim suffered numerous hack wounds across various parts of her body. He added that relatives who arrived at the scene were shocked by the gruesome condition in which they found the victim.
Following the incident, the 81-year-old suspect voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement authorities and is now under the custody of the Compostela Municipal Police Station. The bolo believed to have been used in the attack has also been recovered as part of the investigation.
Police said appropriate criminal charges are being prepared against the suspect while investigators continue gathering evidence and witness statements to complete the legal process.
Authorities also renewed their appeal to the public to seek peaceful means of resolving domestic conflicts, emphasizing that unresolved disputes within families can escalate into irreversible tragedies when left unchecked.
The investigation remains ongoing as police work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the fatal attack.