SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan , Philippines – A suspect in the killing of five members of a family in this city has reportedly abandoned his house.
An alias Tony, who was named by Carmelino Ibañes as one of his two accomplices, had left his house, Superintendent Fitz Macariola, San Jose del Monte police chief, said yesterday.
Witnesses said Tony was seen at his house when the victims were buried on Wednesday, but was nowhere to be found on Thursday.
Macariola said he received information that Tony went to the house of his relatives at an undisclosed place. He said Tony’s family members also refused to talk to investigators.
Rolando Pacinos, alias Inggo, whom Ibañes also tagged in the killings, was found dead on Tuesday while Rosevelt Sorema, alias Ponga, was shot dead at his home on Wednesday.
Ibañes, who is being held at the San Jose del Monte jail, retracted his statement on Thursday, saying he was tortured to make a confession.
Meanwhile, the father of the three slain children, Dexter Carlos Sr., was formally admitted into the witness protection program yesterday
“This is to certify that Dexter Carlos Sr....in the interest of his safety and security and pursuant to the provisions of... Republic Act 6981...has been provisionally admitted to the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit program pending investigation,” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said in a two-paragraph certificate.
Carlos found the bodies of his mother-in-law Aurora Dizon, 54; his wife Estrella, 28, and their children Donnie, 11; Ella, 7, and Dexter Jr., 1, with multiple stab wounds as he arrived from his night duty as security guard on June 28.
“Losing one’s family to criminals is a very hard experience for anyone. We should help him get the justice he deserves... The Department of Justice is more than willing to extend any assistance that he may need in getting justice for what was done to his family,” Aguirre said. – With Evelyn Macairan