3 shot, stabbed to death in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A villager and his two children were massacred in a remote barangay of Panamao town, Sulu province Tuesday, according to police.

The police said three suspects have been arrested and placed under investigation.

The Sulu Provincial Police Office (SPPO) identified the victims as Laih Mamih, 50, a farmer, his children Kiran Laih, 18 and Salmalin 15, all residents of Sitio Buling-buling, Barangay Suh, Panamao town.

The provincial police reported that the victims were having lunch when eight armed suspects, one of them identified as Timmah Magindi, all natives of Patikul, barged into the house and shot the victims.

According to the police investigation, the bullets just ricocheted from the victims, who were apparently equipped with amulets that prompted the suspects to hack them to death.

The suspects escaped but three of them were arrested by the pursuing police.

The arrested suspects who remained in the custody of the police were identified as Magindi, Rasmar Appal and Benar Jumar.

 The police further disclosed that the bloody attack stemmed from personal grudge.