Sad news… Please include them in your prayers…

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I am sorry to have to be the bearer of this sad news but I am doing this to let you know so that we can all join together in praying for the family of Nora Nocon and, at the same time, to be forewarned.

I received a call this morning from Ruby Sioson that Nora’s eldest 70 year old sister, Fely, a 3-year old grandaughter and helpers had gone through a most brutal death early this week.

Some men entered the family house in Talayan Village, waiting for Fely to enter the house. Earlier, a yaya and Fely’s grandaughter (whose dad brings her every morning to the grandma’s house as the young girl goes to a nearby school) entered and were brutally stabbed. When Fely arrived, she too was stabbed 15 times but only after forcing her to key in the combination of the safe containing a huge sum of money (in millions) and jewelry. The house was set afire after the robbery. Fely’s husband, Dr. Jiao (who I understand is bedridden) was also stabbed and suffered 3rd degree burns. He is the only one who survived and is now confined in a hospital heavily guarded by policemen. Fely, her grandaughter and 3 helpers all died either by stab wounds or through burns.

I have not spoken to Nora yet. I understand she is resting at home and is now waiting for her younger sister to come home from the United States. Nora’s ADB friends here are planning to see her at home after the interment. We just want to let some days pass because we understand what she must be going through now. For those who wish to send in their messages of sympathies may just do so addressed to the groupsite. I will try to collect and print these and give them to Nora when I see her.

I am asking all our friends in the groupsite to please say a prayer for Nora and her family that they all be strong. I ask that we pray for the eternal repose of the soul of the victims.

It is difficult sometimes to understand why things like this happen but we leave everything to God who, after all, knows all the reasons behind everything that happens in our life.

Thank you.