7 dead in predawn massacre in Rizal province

Unidentified armed men gunned down at least seven people in a predawn massacre in Rodriguez town in Rizal province Monday.

 

Police said they are looking into drugs as one of the motives behind the massacre in Barangay San Jose in Rodriguez town in Rizal.

 

"Tinitingnan namin ditong angulo rito tungkol sa drugs kasi nasa watch list ang may-ari ng bahay," Rodriguez town police head Superintendent Donato Bait said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

He initially identified the slain house owner as Web Santos. A separate report by dzBB's Glen Juego said Santos and his wife were among the fatalities.

 

Five other fatalities were initially identified as Toro, Josua, Puknoy, Tisoy and Rose. The five were supposedly visitors of the couple.

 

Bait said Santos had been jailed for drug-related offenses in the past, though he had posted bail.

 

Citing initial reports, he said the incident occurred at about 1 a.m., when unidentified armed men barged into the couple's house and opened fire.

 

He said shells recovered from the scene indicated the suspects used cal-.40 and cal-.45 handguns.

 

Bait said they have taken into protective custody the couple's two children aged 10 and 13, who he said may have seen the suspects.

 

"Sa ngayon medyo pinapakalma namin ang dalawang anak. Kinakausap namin. Nanginginig ang isa. Baka may makuha tayong additional lead,” he said.

 

He said one of the children described the suspects as wearing bull caps and jackets, but could not recognize them.

 

Meanwhile, a separate report by dzBB's Juego said neighbors of the victims admitted not immediately calling the police because they were intimidated.

 

The report quoted some neighbors as hearing laughter by the gunmen during the attack.

 

All the victims died from gunshots to the head, the report added. –KG, GMA News