The posh Savannah Homes is where resident Claire Nuerus was robbed and murdered Sunday night. (Photo by Tara Yap)

Daring men rob house, kill owner in posh subdivision

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

ROBBERS continue their murderous rampage, this time victimizing a nurse-cum-businesswoman residing in a posh subdivision in Oton, Iloilo.

Claire Nuerus, 34, of Lot 14, Block 17, Glen B of Savannah Subdivision at Brgy. Abilay Norte, Oton was found dead inside the master’s bedroom past 11pm Sunday after two armed robbers entered their house.

Nuerus was accompanied by her house help Charmaine Larupay who was washing their dishes when the suspects entered the house.

Larupay said the suspects wore balaclava masks, wore black clothing and wielded long firearms.

Nuerus was in the sala chatting with his husband, who is a ship doctor in the US, using her Cobalt laptop computer.

The suspects then ordered Larupay to close the windows and turn off the lights. Afterwards, the two women were told to drop to the floor and keep quiet.

Larupay said her employer even told the robbers to take away whatever they want, except for her laptop computer, as the security guards might catch them.

“But one of the suspects said they cannot be intimidated and they have lookouts around the house who are monitoring the guards,” Larupay said.

The suspects later hogtied the victims and brought them to two separate rooms. Nuerus resisted but the robbers allegedly hit her on the head with a hard object.

Larupay said the suspect also pummeled her head with an unidentified object.

Several minutes later, the househelp untied her hands as she noticed that the suspects were already gone. She then checked her employer inside the master bedroom who was bathed in her own blood.

Larupay called the subdivision guards who informed the police about the incident. Nuerus succumbed to head injuries and strangulation. Rope marks were found in her neck.

SPO2 Jose Rey Pabalan, Oton police investigator, said the incident may have happened between 8pm to 10pm based on the testimonies of Larupay.

Pabalan said the suspects may have entered the posh subdivision through the farmland area which is not enclosed by the fence.

Larupay said the suspects spoke karay-a and have calloused hands.

Senior Insp. Castor, Oton police chief, said they are still facing a blank wall as to the suspects although they are considering robbery as motive.

Castor said it is also possible that the suspects got help from persons familiar with the Nuerus resident.

“We are checking on employees and househelps who were fired by the victim in the past months. There are some leads but we cannot divulge them as of this time. Everybody is a suspect here,” Castor said.

Nuerus’ remains were brought to the St. Therese Funeral Homes in Molo, Iloilo City.

Earlier, the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) said robbers have become daring in their operations to the point of killing their victims.

IPPO director Ricardo dela Paz said prominent persons might be protecting robbers in the province reason why they are very aggressive.

Residents of Savannah, particularly in Glen B, said they have been complaining about the lack of security guards and ample lighting in their area, making them susceptible to robbers and other criminal elements.

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