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Trigger warning: physical abuse, birthing trauma, murder
In 2024, the Philippine National Police listed 11,636 cases of Violence Against Women and Children, or VAWC.
The Philippine Statistics Authority's (PSA) data also revealed that one in five Filipinas experience emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of their partners.
In line with Women's Month this March, "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" highlighted the stories of abused women with the aim of fighting for rights and justice.
'Marie'
One story is the case of 'Marie,' a woman from Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, who experienced physical abuse at the hands of her live-in partner 'Greg.'
They met in a hospital. 'Marie' started to work as a hospital volunteer and 'Greg' was on duty. They got along well until they agreed to live together. It was then that 'Marie' saw 'Greg's' true colors.
"Mainitin talaga [ang ulo], tapos madaling mapikon, tapos maliit lang na kuwento, pinapalaki niya. Kahit hindi siya naka-inom, nananakit talaga siya. Bigla-bigla na lang namamalo," 'Marie' said on "KMJS."
["He has a really bad temper—he's easily offended and gets mad over small things. Even when he's not drunk, he still hurts people."]
'Greg' would hit her with bamboo, rocks, and wood, leaving bruises.
Shopkeeper Ederita said she saw a fight between 'Marie' and 'Greg' outside her store. 'Greg' was asking Marie to come home with him but she said, "Hindi ako uuwi dun dahil bugbugin mo naman ako dun."
["I won't go home because you'll just beat me up."]
'Marie' did not go with 'Greg,' and ended up sleeping on a bench. Later, 'Greg' fetched 'Marie' and then carried her to a tricycle. 'Marie' escaped, but 'Greg' chased after her.
Ederita ran to the barangay hall to get their tanod. But when they returned, the couple was gone. The next thing she heard was that 'Marie' had given birth in a nearby charcoal shop.
Witness Marilou helped 'Marie,' who also saw that the baby had died due to premature labor.
In an interview on "KMJS," 'Marie' turned emotional as she described her abuse.
"Tinadyakan ako at sinipa-sipa ako. Ang sakit-sakit," she said. "Sobrang sakit talaga, hindi ko na kaya pero kinakaya ko. Nangapunit kasi nadama ko."
["He kicked me repeatedly. It was so painful. I couldn't take it anymore, but I had no choice but to endure it. It felt like I was being torn apart."]
Her mother, Alicia, says 'Marie' has been in a different state after the abuse and losing her baby.
'Marie's' younger sibling also said, "Sobrang bait niyan. Mahal na mahal niya kami. Sumasakit ang dibdib namin kasi hindi na namin kaya tumingin sa kanya na puro siya pasa."
["She's very kind and loves us deeply. Our hearts ache because we can't bear to look at her— she's still covered in bruises."]
Meanwhile, 'Greg' escaped and is in hiding. However, the PNP said there is already an arrest warrant and that the police are searching for him.
To help 'Marie' process her painful experience, KMJS brought her to a psychologist.
Rose
In Gerona, Tarlac, Rose and her live-in partner 'Jose,' once had a seemingly happy relationship, which led to them having two kids together.
However, the couple would often fight due to 'Jose's' drinking.
"Wala siyang trabaho. Ginugutom 'yung anak ko," Rose's mother Erlinda said on "KMJS."
["He doesn't have a job. He couldn't feed my child."]
Rose had a job, but would see her partner out drinking and gambling.
A relative, Angel, said Rose would always keep the relationship's issues to herself, which is why they were surprised when she wanted to split up with 'Jose'.
It was then revealed that Jose would hurt Rose even early on in their relationship. He would put a veil on her to strangle her.
In February, Rose moved back with Erlinda. They agreed that they would alternate in taking care of the two kids. When Rose visited to get the kids, 'Jose' hurt her right away.
"Nu'ng pag-uwi niya rito, marami na siyang pasa," she added.
["When she came home, she was covered in bruises."]
Following that incident, Rose reported it to the barangay for a blotter. 'Jose's' mother, Teresita, was in shock at her son's actions.
"Sabi ko sa anak ko, 'Bakit mo naman nagawa 'yun?'" she said. "Pinayuhan ko. Sabi ko, 'Huwag kang mananakit.'"
["I asked my son, 'Why did you do that?' Then I told him, 'Don't hurt anyone.'"]
The conflict got worse when 'Jose' found Rose in her mother's house right next to another man.
"Katrabaho niya po 'yun. Ang alam ko lang, sinasamahan lang siyang pauwi rito," Erlinda said.
["She was with a coworker. As far as I know, he only accompanied her home."]
It was at this moment that Jose burned Rose and the man alive.
"Nakita ko ang anak ko nasusunog na. Buong katawan po. Talagang siya po ang pinuntirya," Erlinda said.
["I saw my daughter on fire—her whole body was burning. She was clearly the target."]
Angel said they drenched the two in water and put a wet blanket over them. Rose ended up suffering third-degree burns on her whole body, while the man was able to escape.
Erlinda cried as she said she couldn't accept it.
"'Nak, hindi ko pinagluluto dito dahil natatakot kang matalsikan ng mantika. Ngayon, apoy naman pala 'yung aano sa'yo."
["I don't let her cook here because she's afraid of getting splattered with oil. But now, it turns out that fire is what ended up harming her."]
The next morning, 'Jose' surrendered to the authorities. He said he was triggered by jealousy, which was why he set his ex-partner on fire.
"Kahit po nagkamali 'yung anak ko, hindi dapat ganyan ang ginawa niya. Hindi makatao," Erlinda said.
["Even if my child made a mistake, he shouldn't have done that. It's inhumane."]
Teresita said all she could do was cry over her son's actions.
Rose, after a week of fighting for her life in the hospital, eventually passed away.
Even while in the hospital, she told her mother, "Ma, huwag mo na akong iuwi sa bahay. Papatayin tayo ni 'Jose'."
["Mom, don't take me home anymore. 'Jose' will kill us."]
At the wake, the family did not open the coffin and did not allow a cremation.
"KMJS" asked for an interview with Jose but he declined.
The Gerona police said that Rose's death was first listed as frustrated murder, but will be upgraded to murder. 'Jose' filed bail before the case was amended, but he might be arrested again, as murder does not allow bail.
"Hindi po namin inaasahan makakalaya kasi murder na 'yung [kaso] niya eh," Erlinda said. "Gusto namin mangyari mabigyan ng hustisya ang anak ko tapos habang buhay siya makukulong."
["We didn't expect him to be released because his case is murder. We want justice for my child and for him to be imprisoned for life."]
Teresita apologized on behalf of her son.
"Humingi kami ng tawad sa nangyari. Nagsisisi naman. Hindi nga daw siya nakakatulog. Kaso sabi ko sa kanya ginawa mo 'yun, wala tayong magagawa."
["We apologize for what happened. He said he regretted it, and couldn't even sleep. But I told him, 'You did it— there's nothing we can do.'"]
Erlinda said that what 'Jose' did was unforgiveable, "kahit magsisi man siya ng sampung beses, mabubulok na 'yan sa kulungan."
["Even if he regrets it ten times over, he'll still rot in jail."]
Angel added, "Hindi kami titigil hanggang hindi namin nakukuha 'yung hustisya."
["We won't stop until we get justice."]
If you need assistance with issues related to women or child care, please contact the following hotlines:
PNP WOMEN AND CHILDREN PROTECTION CENTRE
0919-777-7377 / (02) 8532-6690
PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON WOMEN
8735-1654 loc.123, 124
0917-867-1907 / 0945-455-8121
COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN
8374-3552 / 8461-6620
8366-1910 / 8461-6553
—JCB, GMA Integrated News
