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Monday, September 13, 2004
Suspects in massacre of couple, grandson nabbed
By Joy G. Romares and Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Two brothers accused of bludgeoning to death four family members and causing serious injuries to three others in a subdivision in Davao City last week were arrested at their grandfather's house early Sunday.
The brothers, 21-year-old Chemuel and 16-year-old Elbuin (surname withheld because one is a minor), were arrested in Calumpang, also in Davao City, around 5 a.m. Sunday by agents of the Davao City Police Office investigation division, Heinous Crime Investigation Section and Talomo Police Precinct.
An investigator said Elbuin has a police record for shoplifting in the Victoria Plaza and some theft incidents in Toril.
Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte said the two were in the drug watchlists of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 and the barangay.
They were accused of bludgeoning to death with iron pipes Diosdado Lacorte, 56, his wife Evelyn, 52, their nine-year-old grandson Kenneth Lacorte, 9, their son-in-law Julius Villarmia, 23, all of Cariņosa Street, Lanzona Subdivision. Diosdado was a retired army sergeant.
Recovered from Chemuel during his arrest was cash worth P15,200 and a Nokia 3310 mobile phone.
Villarmia's wallet containing P80, his ATM cards and driver's license, his gray backpack with his Sony Erickson mobile phone and a bloodied t-shirt owned by Chemuel were taken from Elbuin during his arrest.
Chemuel and Elbuin tried to resist arrest but were overpowered by the policemen. They are now in the custody of the Davao City police.
Seriously injured in Friday's attack were the Lacorte couple's daughter Grace Lacorte-Hasioguchi, her husband Tamacho, and her five-year-old child Maria Bea.
A witness said the attack started at around 11:30 p.m. on Friday last week. The two brothers, who were allowed to sleep in the Lacorte's home, allegedly entered the elderly couple's room and started beating them with iron pipes, killing them in the process.
Angeline Cabrera, a niece of the elderly couple, said she saw what the brothers did and escaped unharmed because she was able to hide in time.
She said Kenneth, Villarmia and Maria Bea awoke because of the commotion and the brothers beat them with the pipes as well.
Grace and Tamacho arrived home from the casino just as the brothers were about to leave the house around midnight and were beaten as well.
Police believe the massacre was planned. They believed the attack was caused by the deep resentment of the brothers against the Lacortes. Police are also looking at robbery as a possible motive.
The brothers were distant relatives of the Lacortes as they were the sons of Evelyn's cousin. They were also former houseboys of the Lacortes.
Angeline said this is why the brothers were allowed to sleep in the house when they asked permission at around 7 p.m. Friday.
Mayor Duterte made use of the massacre to further push his contention that people involved in major crimes, no matter how old they are, should be dealt with as criminals.
The matter is a never-ending argument between the mayor and rights advocates.
"Tan-awa ninyo unsay pwede mahimo sa menor de edad, ang mopatay. Kamong mga human rights nga anti sa summary killings, kani ba ang inyong ginadapigan ug ginalabanan? Malipay mo kay buhi ning duha," Duterte said when the two were brought to face him. (Look at what a minor could do, he can kill. You, who are against summary killings, are these the people you are helping? Be happy because these two are alive.)
The mayor also took potshots at those accusing him of being behind the series of summary killings in the city.
He said if he were behind the summary killings of small-time criminals, they the brothers would have been dead already.
Nevertheless, Duterte said whoever was behind the summary killings may be looking at the duo as well.
"Nanglimpyo na nag pusil karon. Basi kamoy mabuthan (Those guys must be cleaning their guns by now. You might be hit)," Duterte said.
Brothers Chemuel and Elbuin live with their mother in Toril before the attack.
Duterte said the brothers were the ones robbing houses in Toril at night.
He further said it was the influence of illegal drugs that made the two capable of such bloody crime.
He said that he was very interested in the case because one of the victims was a Japanese national.
The mayor said he would call the Japanese embassy anytime to inform them of the latest development on the case.
Duterte also congratulated the Davao City Police Office for "a very spectacular crime solution effort".
He said the incident showed how illegal drugs could destroy the lives of not only those using it but also of innocent victims.
(September 13, 2004 issue)
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