BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The police is looking into jealousy as the motive of the 59-year old businessman, who was reportedly suffering from depression, in killing his 24-year-old live-in partner and their two children at Greenland Subdivision in Brgy. 4, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental Saturday, Lt. Col. Romeo Vargas said yesterday.
Vargas, who is the chief of the Himamaylan police, identified the businessman as Raymundo Diaz, who died in a hospital from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the head, after he shot Mary Rose Egca, and their one year-and-seven-month-old daughter, Ruth Ester, and 7-month-old son, Job David.
All victims succumbed to gunshot wounds in the head and were declared dead on arrival at the Himamaylan District Hospital, Vargas said.
Initial police investigation showed that Diaz was suffering from diabetes, pneumonia, and depression.
Egca, who was supposed to celebrate her birthday with her family members and two children in Sitio Pucatod, Brgy. Payao, Binalbagan, figured in a heated argument with Diaz in their room, the police said.
Vargas said that laundrywoman Analyn Cepeda told the police she heard four gunshots after the heated altercation.
Cepeda immediately sought the help of their neighbors, who reported the incident to the police.
Vargas said Diaz was still alive when they arrived at the crime scene. He and the three other victims were rushed to the Himamaylan District Hospital but Egca and the children were declared dead on arrival.
Diaz died while being treated at a private hospital in Bacolod, he added.
Recovered at the scene of incident were a super .38 caliber pistol, with a magazine containing three ammunition, and four empty shells. Vargas said he considers the incident as “case closed” since the assailant also died.*
