Gunman still gave logical instruction

CEBU, Philippines - Emmanuel Ponce, 55, the man who shot his wife, three children and their house helper dead before turning the gun on himself, was possibly not suffering from nervous breakdown during the commission of the crime for he was able to give logical instruction when he spared his 14-year-old daughter, said Dr. Rene Obra.

Obra, head of the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for Behavioral Sciences, said that Emmanuel was not purely out of his mind because he still could decide something logical.

He suspected that what triggered the killing were depression and rejection as his three children and wife allegedly disrespected him when he stopped working as a seaman.

“Bati ba kay mura og sa dihang seaman pa siya maayo kaayo iyang pamilya unya karon labay-labayan na lang siya,” Obra said over radio station DyHP.

Emmanuel, the only child of his parents, used his .45 caliber pistol in shooting his wife Melinda, 53; his daughters Elaine Grace, 26, and Heather Joy, 25 and son Emlin, 18 inside their house in Palm View Village, Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City.

The youngest child, a 14-year-old daughter, was spared as she was told by her father to go out of the house.

Also killed was their helper Anastacia Deniega, 30, a resident of Barangay San Isidro of the same city.

All victims had gunshot wounds on their head except for Deniega, who was hit on the left side of her chest.

According to Supt. Rex Derilo, chief of the Firearms Explosives Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory (FESSAGS), the pistol used by Emmanuel has a valid license.

Obra said that if Emmanuel was apparently under the influence of liquor during the commission of the crime, this would also trigger the killing because he would probably behave in delusional manner.

He added that if he was drunk it was possible that he would act suspiciously even if reasons are baseless.

“OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) siya wala siya pirmi sa balay if mag-delusion siya he would think nga dili iya ang tulo niya ka anak nga iyang gipatay,” Obra said.

Obra also said that owning a pistol had also contributed in pushing Emmanuel to commit the crime.

He said that Emmanuel was unable to control his anger and killed his family, but later when he realized his family members were dead he then shot himself which was an impulsive suicide on his part.

Wake

Melinda’s relatives from Bicol are already here and are taking care of the paperwork needed for her burial and that of her three children.

The remains of the victims as well as that of Emmanuel are now at the St. Peter Chapels along Imus Road, Cebu City.

There has been no announcement yet on the interment schedule and where they would be buried.

Elaine, a nurse by profession, but was working as a call center agent aside from being a volunteer of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, is wearing her nurse uniform.

Her younger sister, Heather Joy, who was also a nurse, is also wearing the same.

Emlin, their brother, is wearing his school uniform. He is taking up Radiologic Technology at the Cebu Doctors’ University.

Melinda is in a simple white dress while Emmanuel is in a Barong Tagalog.

Deniega’s remains are also in the same chapel. She is set to be taken to her hometown of San Carlos City, Negros Oriental today.

Deniega’s relatives, who arrived last night, said that they still could not believe what had happened.

“Kung siya lang (Emmanuel) iya ra untang kaugalingon nganong i-apil pa man ang uban,” said Deniega’s brother, Carlito Sigaray, 46.

Coping

The surviving child of the couple went to the funeral parlor yesterday and was inconsolable.

According to her aunt, Yayo Diok, the girl will pursue her studies this school year, however, she is still undecided whether to stay in Cebu or move to Sorsogon, her mother’s home province, at the end of the school year.

Melinda’s siblings are living in Leyte and Bicol and they are natives of Sorsogon.

Paul Redula, nephew of Emmanuel, said that they already asked consideration from his niece’s school.

Redula said that the child was even advised not to take the exam unless she will be fine.

“Bisan unsa nga school na man tingali would not say no in this kind of tragedy nga mura’g sakit pa jud,” he said.

He added that they are monitoring her from time to time for her safety.

The child is now undergoing a stress debriefing conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Investigation

SPO1 Mikie Espina, who is investigating the crime, said that it is quite hard to figure out the motive.

“Lisud i-explain ang motive kay ang witness mismo, she can’t explain… she has no knowledge nga naay lalis iyang parents or mga igsuon sa wa pa nahitabo ang incident. Nakurat na lang siya nga nakamata siya tungod sa mga buto,” he said.

Meanwhile, barangay tanods have been posted in the house to keep kibitzers away.

Nelson Echavez, one of the tanods, said they were deployed there since Sunday night to watch over the property and the things inside it. The house was however closed for anyone except for the investigators.

Capitol Help

Cebu Vice governor Agnes Magpale met with the Department of Social Welfare and Development officers yesterday afternoon and discussed the possible intervention the provincial government can do to help the girl.

“First and foremost what must be of utmost priority is the welfare and well-being of the lone surviving member,” Governor Gwendolyn Garcia also said.

Garcia, who got shocked upon learning the news from the papers yesterday morning, said that what happened is an incomprehensible tragedy.

“And the saddest person I believe is the lone surviving member of the family,” she said. — with Liv Campo and Niña G. Sumacot/NLQ - (THE FREEMAN)