Father who lost job suspected of killing family in Biñan

A mother and her two little children were found dead on Tuesday, apparently hammered to death at their home in Biñan, Laguna.

According to a report on "24 Oras", the suspect was their father, who was also found dead with a strap around his neck.

Police investigators identified the dead as Johnny Martinez, 46; Jolly Espinas, 41; Winston, 7; and Brixton Martinez, 1.

Johnny's body was found hanging by the stairway, while those of the other victims were found in different parts of their home.

Authorities said they found the children with face masks stuffed into their mouths.

Neighbors told authorities that they heard the baby crying on Monday night.

"Neto pong umaga, wala pong lumalabas. 'Pag may bumibili ng softdrinks, wala pong lumalabas. 'Pag kinakatok, wala rin pong sumasagot o umiiyak na bata man lang," a neighbor said.

"'Pag tingin ko po nakabukas 'yong pinto tapos pagbungad ko po, nandoon na po 'yong bata, duguan na siya," she added.

Biñan City police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Giovani Martinez said there was talk that family was having problems with money.

"Dati po siyang bus driver. Na-layoff po sa trabaho. Ang source of income na lang po nila eh 'yong pagtitinda ng mga softdrinks at sigarilyo sa kanilang kwarto," Martinez said.

"May mga usapan po dito na minsan nababalitaan nila na problema noong mag-asawa 'yong pinansiyal," he added. 

Martinez said the police already contacted the victims' relatives.

Autopsy is also ongoing, he added.

"Para malaman po namin at mabuo po 'yong teorya kung talagang may ibang taong gumawa ng krimen na ito o 'yong padre de pamilya po talaga," Martinez said. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News

For counselling, individuals may contact the National Center for Mental Health at  (02)79898727 or 09178998727, the Philippine General Hospital at https://pghopd.up.edu.ph/;  Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services http://bit.ly/BulataoBPS; Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center https://www.facebook.com/armmcpsychiatry; and the University of the Philippines Diliman Psychosocial Services at 09063743466 or 09167573157.