A 34-year-old woman from Brgy. Tubtobon, Sibulan, Oriental Negros, who was severely beaten up with a thick piece of wood by her live-in partner said she will forgive him for the last time, because she pitied the man's children living with them.

Efrena Macapanas, 34, the victim, who has two children from her estranged husband, said it was the last time she forgave Renelio Himang, 41, of Cebu, a taho peddler, who is also separated from his wife with whom he has seven children.

Macapanas landed at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital Sunday night with severe bruises and body sprains after her live-in partner attacked her with a thick piece of wood in their house.

She said the incident happened when Himang flared up when she advised him not to manhandle his seven children.

The woman said that Himang's 18-year-old eldest child had earlier abandoned them because of their father's maltreatment.

Macapanas said Himang grabbed a thick wood and beat her in the presence of another couple who was staying in the same house.

Neighbors horrified by the screaming, ran to help her and brought her to the hospital where she immediately reported the attack to the Sibulan police.

Her live-in partner was arrested, but she said she would forgive him for the sake of his children because he is the sole breadwinner of the family.*

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