THE headless bodies of a mother and her two children were discovered in Purok Kamanggahan, Barangay Lutac, in the City of Naga, southern Cebu, on Monday morning, Jan. 27, 2025.
They were identified as Junelyn Jimenez, 32, her son John Carlo Camporendo, 11, and her two-year-old daughter “LJ.”
Witnesses have identified her live-in partner, Carlo Camporendo, 33, as the suspect.
According to Jimenez’s younger sister, Jessa Rico, Carlo emerged from the house still carrying a bolo and attempted to pursue their mother, who managed to seek refuge in a neighbor’s house.
“Paggawas niya human niya gipanigbas ang akung mga pag-umangkon ug akong igsuon ug si mama pud unta to iya sad patyon nakadagan man si mama nakatago sa among silingan, paglugsong niya sa ubos niana siya nga patay na,” matod ni Jessa. (When he came out after killing my sister and my nephew and niece, he tried to kill my mother but she hid in a neighbor’s house. When he got to the bottom of the hill, he declared that his family was dead.)
The suspect then climbed on top of the hill and headed into the woods.
Rico explained that her nephew was home due to a toothache while his seven-year-old sibling was in school at the time of the incident.
She said Carlo and her elder sister sold young coconuts for a living. Earlier that morning, they had gone to gather coconuts but returned home when their cart became full.
Rico expressed shock at Carlo’s sudden violent behavior that led to this tragedy.
It was revealed that the suspect had spent some time in the psychiatric ward of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City the previous year and had been taking maintenance medications for his condition.
Rico said Carlo was also addicted to illegal drugs, which may have worsened his mental health issues.
“Bisan naa na siyay maintenance sa buang mo take gihapon na siya og shabu sir ba,” dugang ni Jessa. (Even though he has maintenance medicines for his condition, he still takes illegal drugs.)
When in a volatile state, Carlo would often pick fights with his wife and others around him. Neighbors reported frequent altercations between Jimenez and Carlo for no apparent reason; one neighbor disclosed that Carlo had previously attempted to kill her while under the influence of drugs.
Jimenez and her two children were found dead upon police arrival at the scene.
The City of Naga Police Station promptly initiated a manhunt for Carlo. Authorities located and arrested him in a neighboring sitio of Lutac. (AYB/GPL/DVG)