Massacre suspect shot dead

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — Policemen fatally shot a suspected robber they believe was the one who broke into a Lipa City residence and stabbed three people dead before dawn yesterday.

"We tried to talk to him, but he opted not to surrender," said Senior Superintendent David Quimio, Lipa City police chief.

The slain man, who was still unidentified, was suspected of having killed Rodolfo Lunar, 65; his live-in partner, Edith Tafalla, 39; and their housemaid, Sophia Encarnado, 21.

Tafalla’s children, Dantes, 17, and Judith, 10, managed to flee and seek their neighbors’ help. — Rene Alviar, Arnell Ozaeta and Ed Amoroso