Woman survives 46 stab wounds; attacker arrested in Caloocan

A woman survived after she was stabbed 46 times by a robber who broke into her apartment unit in Caloocan city Friday afternoon.

Joan Bongares, 33, of Barangay 167, played dead after sustaining 46 stab wounds to the face and body before she was brought to Navoliches District Hospital.

Bongares is living alone as her husband is working abroad. They have no children.

The police later arrested the suspect, identified as Michael Franco, 38, of Navoliches, Quezon City.

Franco is an alleged member of the Sputnik Gang.

He was in and out of jail for several criminal charges, including robbery, said North Caloocan police chief Sr. Insp. Dennis Odtuhan.

At around 4:30 p.m., Franco and two still unidentified cohorts arrived at Bongares’ two-story apartment and pretended to be interested in renting a room.

The suspects then forcibly entered the apartment and snatched her bag containing three cellphones.

She was then stabbed using an ice pick, kitchen knife, and fork by Franco as she tried to resist and shouted for help, police said.

Bongares neighbors who heard her shouting sought assistance from a police officer living in the area.

PO3 Jev Melendez, from QCPDStation 4 and other residents and neighbors responded to the scene and collared Franco.

Franco also yielded two sachets of shabu. He also admitted stabbing the victim.

Appropriate charges will be filed against Franco.