Kin agree separate burial for Ponces

CEBU, Philippines - Despite her objection, the 14-year-old massacre survivor in Talisay City submitted to the wisdom of the elders to bury her father away from her mother and her siblings.

Emmanuel Ponce, who killed his wife, four children and family helper before turning the gun on him, will be left behind in Cebu while his wife Melinda and children will be buried in Sorsogon.

Paul Redola, Emmanuel’s nephew, said both families agreed to bury Emmanuel in the Queen City of the South. Melinda and the four children will be brought to Sorsogon on Saturday where they will be buried.

Redola said Ember would have wanted to bury her parents and siblings in one place but a certain Erwin Ponce, cousin of Emmanuel, reportedly insisted to bury him in Cebu.

“(Ember) is not in favor of the setup, as she would rather have her family buried in one place, but has succumbed to the decision of the elders,” Redola said.

Redola said Ember is “showing positive signs” and that she is “coping well,” except for some episodes of breakdown at St. Peter’s Memorial Funeral Homes. The child also visited their house yesterday for the first time since the massacre, and approached their two dogs, which were left in the care of the barangay tanods who were posted in their property since Sunday.

The house, which was reeked with blood, was cleaned yesterday by the police and the tanods.

SPO1 Mikie Espina of the Talisay City Police Station said it was the relatives of both families including Ember who requested to clean the house from blood which has dried up on the floor.

“After this, we’ll turn over the custody of the property to the survivor; and along with other things that will be recovered from this cleanup,” said Espina in an interview with the media during the cleaning yesterday.

Espina said they recovered important documents of the family’s properties, some valuables, and cash.

These were brought to the police station for record purposes and then turned over to the parties who were present during the cleanup.

Espina said they considered the case “closed,” hence, the Ponce house is now open for the survivor or any of her relatives who may wish to live there. (FREEMAN)