BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA AND MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City – The massacre of four people in Barangay Tangub may now be considered “solved”, according to Police Major Joery Puerto, commander of Police Station 8.
The earlier statements of Christian “Dondon” Tulot, suspect in the brutal killings of his relatives, were all “himo-himo lang nga storya,” stressed Puerto.
Tulot previously tagged his uncle Joel Espinosa and a certain “Bro” as his murder cohorts through an extrajudicial confession.
But on Thursday night, Tulot recanted this and claimed he committed the crime all by himself.
Puerto said several valuables including six mobile phones – all belonging to the victims – were recovered from Tulot’s house in Barangay Bunga, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental.
Tulot himself also led the police to where he hid the implements – a hammer and a 21-inch cane cutter (espading) – he used on his victims.
He said he killed his aunts Jocelyn Nombre and Gemma Espinosa, cousin John Michael Espinosa, and niece Precious Jona because of hatred and not because of illegal drugs.
Tulot further claimed that the crime transpired around 9 to 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Puerto said they are now preparing additional criminal charges against the suspect.
Tulot may face four counts of murder and robbery.
The suspect was already charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). Five sachets of suspected shabu were recovered from his possession during his arrest in Don Salvador Benedicto.
As to the two men earlier tagged as accomplices, Puerto said Joel Espinosa was released from Police Station 8. Manhunt operation against “Bro” was also halted.
On the other hand, the victims are scheduled to be buried today.
On Wednesday, the bodies of Jocelyn Nombre, Gemma Espinosa, John Michael Espinosa, and Precious Jona Espinosa, were discovered rotting within the perimeter of their home in Gardenville Subdivision.
This massacre was the second recorded in the city in 21 years, following the Rivilla Massacre in December of 2000 when six family members and two house helpers were murdered.
‘VERY IMPRESSIVE’
The city government lauded the police in solving the case.
“We salute the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) led by Colonel Manuel Placido for immediately solving the gruesome massacre,” said Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
He added: “We recognize the expertise and efficiency of Station 8 Commander Police Major Joery Puerto and his men in handling the investigation…“very impressive.”
“We hope that it will never happen again,” the city mayor stressed.
The swift action and solution by the city policemen was a reminder that in Bacolod, “crime does not pay”, said Leonardia./PN
