BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The primary suspect in the murder of four members of a family in Barangay Tangub in this city has told police that he acted alone when he committed the crime.
Christian Tulot recanted his earlier statement linking his two relatives, Joel Espinosa and a certain Bro, in the killing, according to Maj. Joey Puerto, Bacolod police Station 8 commander.
Puerto said they released Espinosa on Thursday because they could not find any evidence that he was involved in the killing.
Police recovered a cane cutter and a hammer allegedly used in the incident.
Tulot and Espinosa are relatives of the victims.
The bodies of Jocelyn Nombre; her sister Remedios Jemma Espinosa, 69; their nephew John Michael Espinosa, and his six-year-old daughter were in an advanced state of decomposition when discovered in their house on Wednesday by police officers who responded to reports that the victims could not be contacted by their relatives.
Police said multiple murder charges are being readied against Tulot.
The suspect had earlier been charged with violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
Tulot reportedly yielded sachets of shabu when he was arrested. He also tested positive for drug use.
Police said they recovered the personal belongings of the victims, which Tulot hid in the house of his friend in Salvador Benedicto town.