Miriam's aunt stabbed dead in Iloilo

MANILA, Philippines - A 73-year-old aunt of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago was stabbed dead inside her house in Kahirup village in Jaro district in Iloilo City Thursday noon. Radio dzBB's Iloilo affiliate reported that Adelina Palma-Bermejo died while undergoing treatment at the West Visayas State University Medical Center. A staff of Santiago confirmed the incident but provided no details. “Confined pa sa pamilya nila ang detalye (The details are still confined with the family),” Tom Tolibas told GMANews.TV. Tolibas said the victim was the sister of Santiago's mother, Dimpna Palma. The radio report said neighbors found the victim's body lying in a pool of her own blood inside her house with a 12-inch knife stuck in her back. Police are now looking for a certain Robert who may have had something to do with the killing. Initial investigation showed the victim was last seen alive Thursday morning. She reportedly lived alone in her house with her meals being provided by relatives. The victim's neighbors told police they overheard a man knocking on the victim’s door. When she asked who it was, the man reportedly replied, "Robert." - with Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV