CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A 36-year-old mother of three was found dead inside her residence in Barangay Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City, after allegedly being stabbed 16 times by her live-in partner on the evening of November 13, 2026.
The victim, identified by police as Mary Grace Masong, was discovered with multiple stab wounds inside their home at the Cepalco Compound, also referred to as Isla Cupa, District 3, Barangay Consolacion. The fatal attack has left her three children without their mother and raised renewed concerns over domestic violence and the dangers faced by women in abusive relationships.
According to the initial investigation of Police Station 5 (PS5) Puntod, neighbors discovered that Masong was covered in blood and had sustained multiple stab wounds. Her live-in partner, identified as Ronnil Khris Chua, was reportedly no longer at the residence when the incident was discovered.
Police Captain Lorenzo Ocon, chief of PS5 Puntod, confirmed that the victim sustained 16 stab wounds to different parts of her body, resulting in her death.
Neighbors reportedly told investigators that the couple frequently argued, with shouting and heated exchanges becoming a familiar occurrence in their household. Some accounts also indicated that the victim had allegedly experienced physical abuse on previous occasions.
The victim’s brother later made a public statement expressing grief and anger over her death. In his social media post, he alleged that Chua had repeatedly beaten his sister before the fatal incident.
He also disclosed that family members, including their mother and siblings, had previously advised Masong against returning to Cagayan de Oro to live with her partner, citing concerns over her safety following earlier alleged incidents of violence.
The brother expressed regret that their warnings had not prevented the tragedy and called for justice for his younger sister.
Suspect reportedly fled to Bukidnon before surrendering
Following the killing, Chua reportedly fled and sought refuge in Bukidnon. However, he eventually returned and voluntarily surrendered to police authorities on November 14, according to information provided by the Puntod police chief.
His surrender followed police efforts to locate him after the incident.
Authorities also reported that jealousy was among the possible motives being examined, based on information gathered from neighbors and the couple’s children. Investigators are likewise looking into allegations concerning possible illegal drug use by the suspect.
During questioning, Chua reportedly claimed that the incident was connected to their child and expressed remorse over what he had done. However, investigators have yet to establish the full circumstances surrounding the killing, including the precise motive.
Father asks children for forgiveness
On November 14, Chua reportedly faced his three children and asked for their forgiveness following his surrender.
The emotional encounter came barely a day after their mother was killed inside their family home. However, the children reportedly found it difficult to accept their father’s apology, having just suffered the devastating loss of their mother.
The suspect remains under the custody of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office as investigators continue gathering evidence and documenting the circumstances of the crime.
Police said the appropriate criminal charges, which may include murder or homicide, will depend on the findings of the investigation and the available evidence.
Beyond the criminal investigation, the killing has left a family shattered and brought attention to the possible warning signs of domestic abuse that may precede fatal violence.
For Masong’s family, the immediate demand is justice for a daughter, sister, and mother whose life was cut short, leaving three children to confront a loss that no apology can undo.