Rafael Torres, 69, a sea captain; his wife Anita, 46; and their son Christopher, 29, all residents of 58 Sampaguita St., Maligaya Subidivison, Novaliches, could be facing homicide charges once the Central Police District completes its investigation.
Authorities, however, said the fatality, who is 5-foot-7-inches tall and was clad in a black shirt and blue pants, may not actually be a thief but someone known personally to the family.
The man sustained 50 stab wounds and severe abrasions in the head and the body and died inside the Torres residence. Responding policemen were puzzled when they found the body already stiff an hour after the family reported a burglary incident.
The man was lying in a pool of blood and was still clutching a caliber .38 revolver in his hand.
The Torreses claimed the man was armed when he barged into their house at about 3 a.m. by destroying the wire fence and the iron grills.
They said that the man took P700 in cash, a cellular phone and other valuables. But before he could escape, they ganged up on him and killed him in the process.