Car theft likely motive in stab attack on 60-year-old Philippines actress

Manila: Authorities are convinced that auto theft or kidnapping had been the motive in the stabbing of 60-year-old actress and former beauty queen Pilar Pilapil on Thursday.

Senior Superintendent Joel Coronel said Pilapil, who is recovering from the ordeal at a hospital in Pasig City, was able to provide information on the suspect.

Coronel is the head of Task Force Pilar, a special investigative group ordered formed by Police Director General Raul Bacalzo Friday evening to look into the incident.

Ice-pick threat

Based on the actress' statements, she was riding aboard her niece Rocel Jacosalem Penas (not Rosel Rosalem as earlier reported) Kia Sportage when the suspects suddenly appeared from nowhere, entered the vehicle through the rear door of the four-seat SUV and threatened to stab either of them with an ice-pick.

Rosalem had just picked up Pilapil from the Robinson's Galleria mall in Pasig City when two men suddenly appeared.

Pilapil was taken to the rear portion of the car by the carjacker where she was stabbed.

The actress was found bloodied and taken to a hospital.

Police are still looking for Penas, who has remained missing since the incident. Authorities believe she was still being held by the suspects and that she was the target of a kidnapping.