Police eye homicide charges vs suspect in killing of Coleen Garcia’s step-aunt

A screenshot of Coleen Garcia’s Facebook post of her step-aunt’s alleged killer. Image from Coleen Garcia / Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — The police are set to file a complaint against the suspect in the killing of actress Coleen Garcia’s step-aunt, police said on Sunday.

Garcia’s aunt, identified as Canice Seming, was stabbed 15 times in the house of the actress’ father in Barangay Dalig, Antipolo City on Dec. 20, according to an initial report.

Antipolo City police chief Ryan Manongdo said the sworn statement of the witnesses was already taken after the incident, pointing to a former construction worker of Garcia’s father identified as Art Tondo.

“Nakuhanan na po ng statements ang mga witnesses at for filling na po ang complaint,” Manongdo told INQUIRER.net in a Viber message.

(The witnesses made their sworn statements, while the complaint is now for filing.)

Initially, authorities deemed the incident to be a homicide despite the number of stab wounds sustained by the victim.

According to the actress, Tondo was the former live-in partner of their father’s household help. However, their helper broke up with the suspect after threatening the lives of her children.

On the night of the crime, Tondo showed up to look for his former partner but found Seming instead. The suspect then stabbed the victim in rage.

Meanwhile, the victim’s body will also undertake an autopsy examination, Manongdo said.