Siblings found dead in Samboan

CEBU, Philippines – Two elderly siblings were found dead with their heads and face smashed with a hard object in a secluded area in Barangay Camburoy, Samboan last Sunday morning.

The victims were identified as Marcelino Deniega, 74, and his younger sister, Agustina, 54, both residents of Barangay Monteverde of the same town.

SPO1 Dominador Perolino of Samboan Police said a child who was transferring his goat discovered one of the bodies past 8am. The other body was found about a hundred meters away.

The crime may have been committed the night before, Perolino said. Police believe the perpetrator used a stone to smash the victims' head, which caused their death.

A resident in the area still reportedly saw the victims in the morning.

Perolino said the victims were dressed as if they are bound for the town's proper. He said the killer might have invited the victims to an occasion, but eventually killed them. 

Police are looking at a land dispute between the victims and their sister, Restituta Deniega Ferrer and her husband Norberto, as a possible motive behind the killing. A case in relation to the dispute is still pending in court.

Restituta, her husband, and three others were earlier charged with murder for allegedly shooting their nephew, Monteverde Barangay Captain Cerilo Deniega, to death in January. Land dispute was also considered the motive in the shooting.

The case, however, was dismissed for lack of evidence.

Perolino said they will invite the Ferrer family for questioning today. The couple and their children have already denied any involvement and were reportedly irked because of insinuations that they have something to do with the victims' death. (FREEMAN)