Man hacks to death partner, 2 children

CEBU, Philippines — Tragedy broke a quiet morning in Purok Kamanggahan, Brgy. Lutac, Naga City after a father, allegedly influenced by drugs, killed his live-in partner and both their children by slashing their necks inside their home.

Carlo Denata Camporedondo, 33-years-old, and a resident of the place but a native of Mindanao, reportedly hacked his own family with the same bolo that he uses in breaking coconuts.

The victims were identified as Junelyn Gimenez, of legal age, live-in partner of the suspect; and their children, Jun Carl, 11, and LJ Camporedondo, 2.

The couple reportedly has three children, with the middle child, a 7-year-old, in school when the incident happened.

According to personnel of Naga Police Station, they received the report from a concerned citizen informing them of a hacking incident in their area.

Police immediately proceeded to the scene, where they found the lifeless bodies of the victims inside their home, while the suspect was nowhere to be found. The victims sustained fatal wounds to their necks and napes.

A manhunt operation was swiftly launched to locate the suspect, who had reportedly fled to the mountainous area of the barangay. He was arrested at around 4 p.m., with a wound on his feet, and still wearing the clothes that witnesses said he was seen wearing after fleeing the scene where he killed his family.

According to Jessa Rico, Junelyn’s sister, prior to the incident, the couple had gone to Cebu City to sell coconuts but were unable to do so because their cart, or karomata, was still loaded with "bukong" or coconut husks.

Jessa said that the couple did not quarrel at home, but while she was at the pigpen, she heard a shout by their neighbor to be watchful as Carlo was around.

It was learned afterwards that Carlo also tried to run after the grandmother of the children.

“Mao to si Mama unta sad to iyahang patyon, nakadagan man si Mama nitago sa balay sa among silingan,” said Jessa, saying this incident happened right after the hacking of the three victims.

Jessa added that Carlo had maintenance medicine for gastro intestinal problems and was even brought to the hospital for check-ups but despite this, the latter still used illegal drugs.

It was also learned that in previous years, Junelyn raised a complaint against Carlo before the barangay for domestic violence and the latter reportedly threatened to kill the former if she will run away.

“Mao guro na nga bisan unsaon siya sa iyahang bana dili siya mo istorya namo," said Jessa.

Police are now preparing murder charges against the suspect. — (FREEMAN)