Ex-Army sergeant kills 4 nephews

Monday, January 30, 2012

A RETIRED Army sergeant shot to death his four nephews in a shooting rampage during a “pa siyam” for the mother of the three victims Friday night in Pontevedra town.

Pontevedra police chief Vanessa Gayle Dura Sonoy identified the suspect as Staff Sergeant Nestor Estrellanes, 52, of Barangay General Malvar, Pontevedra and a former member of the 39th Infantry Battalion based in Mindanao. He retired from military service in 2007.

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The suspect is the second cousin of Filipa Ginton, the mother of the three victims, for whom the “pa syam” was being offered.

The victims, who were declared dead on arrival at the Valladolid Hospital, were brothers Rudy Ginton, 56; Dominador Ginton, 58; and their cousins Rex Jun Palacios, 41; and Reynaldo Amable, 58.

The fifth victim, Generoso Ginton, 39, suffered from a gunshot wound in the shoulder after he was able to avoid a fatal shot from his uncle when he dropped to the ground, according to Sonoy.

Sonoy said there was a family gathering at the house of Filipa Ginton for the pa syam.

Statements from the witnesses, according to Sonoy, revealed that before the tragic incident happened, the suspect reportedly engaged one of the victims, Rudy Ginton, in a heated discussion but was reportedly pacified by other family members and everybody thought it was settled, Sonoy quoted witnesses.

However, a few hours later, a series of gunfire was heard and the other family members were surprised to see that the suspect has shot the victims, according to Sonoy.

Sonoy said that the suspect, who was apparently drunk at the time of the incident, tried to escape but was arrested by responding policeman accompanied by the barangay captain.

When asked why he did the dastardly act, the suspect did not give any explanation.

Recovered from the suspect was a .45 caliber Norinco pistol with one magazine.

Sonoy added the Pontevedra police will gather the statements and affidavits of the witnesses Monday and will file four counts of murder and one count of frustrated murder against the suspect probably on Tuesday. (TED)