By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service
The suspect in the killing of Madonna Joy Ednaco-Tanyag on Tuesday, June 5, issued an apology for committing the crime, saying he did not mean to stab the Ombudsman Assistant Special Prosecutor on Monday, June 4.
“Aksidente lang po nangyari..Nag-agawan po kami ng kutsilyo kaya ko siya nasaksak..,” Angelito Avenido Jr. said as he was presented to the media on Tuesday, June 5, after his arrest only hours after he supposedly committed the crime in Quezon City.
Avenido was identified based on a witness’ account, and footage from closed-circuit television camera in the area.
Dr. Crisostomo Tanyag, the victim’s husband, lauded the police for his immediate arrest.
According to Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde, Avenido had at that time planned on robbing Tanyag, who was about to board her vehicle after buying milk tea from a nearby store in Barangay Vasra, Quezon City.
The lawyer was about to return to the office at that time, before noon.
“(She) was a chance victim..Baka nagresist, pinasok sa sasakyan at sinaksak,” Albayalde said.
Tanyag, who was five months pregnant, sustained three stab wounds near the chest.
She was rushed to the East Avenue Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival.
After Avenido’s arrest in Barangay Culiat, police recovered two identification cards, a pouch, a cellphone and P9,000 police said were owned by the victim.
History of other crimes
“So ito sinasabi natin. This is a clear indication..that this person..does not care sa karapatan ng isang tao,” Albayalde said.
In fact, Albayalde said the suspect also had a background of committing other crimes.
He said Avenido, who had just used illegal drugs when arrested, was jailed for more than ten years–from Aug. 15, 2007 to Feb. 14, 2018—in General Santos City because of possession of illegal drugs.
After gaining his freedom, Avenido also killed someone in General Santos and went into hiding in Metro Manila on March 30, Albayalde said.
The police official said Avenido is also a suspect in basag-kotse incidents, and has been charged for beating his live-in partner.
“Walang pakundangan pumatay para kumita ng pera at pambili ng droga,” Albayalde said.
He said frustrated robbery with homicide charges are slated to be filed against the suspect in connection with Tanyag’s killing.