5 dead in Valenzuela bloodbath

MANILA, Philippines - A helper hacked to death his employer, her two children and infant niece before taking his own life in Barangay Malinta, Valenzuela City at past midnight yesterday.

Twelve-year-old Joshua Castro, who alone survived the bloodbath, said Jeffrey Turla, 27, who had been their helper for the past seven years, was the one who attacked them with a sword while they were sleeping in the second-floor bedroom of their two-story apartment on Saint Joseph street in Saint Jude Subdivision.

Joshua, the eldest son of balut (boiled duck egg) dealer Berna Calalang, 36, managed to escape and sought help from neighbor Manuelito Tan, who brought him to the Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC). Doctors said his condition was unstable due to the hack wounds in his back.

Barangay watchmen found Calalang naked and lying in a pool of blood on the floor of their bedroom. Beside her was Turla, bleeding from an alleged self-inflicted wound in the abdomen, and whose underwear and pants were gathered at his feet. A 30-inch sword, a pair of scissors and a kitchen knife were found near Turla.

Calalang and Turla were brought to the VMC. Both died while undergoing treatment yesterday.

Joshua’s siblings – Hanna, 15; and Samuel David, six – as well as Calalang’s niece, one-month-old Phoebe de Leon, died on the spot. Calalang’s sister had left Phoebe in her care while she worked.

Joshua, Hanna and Samuel David are Calalang’s children by Ruben Castro, an overseas worker. The former couple had been separated for the last eight years.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor said they have yet to establish a motive for the killings. “At this point in the investigation, many aspects of the case will depend on medical information, including autopsy results, which we have yet to receive,” he told The STAR.

According to a report by Police Officer 3 Winnie Ann Calle, the attack happened at around 1:20 a.m. Investigators theorized that Turla may have tried to rape Calalang, but the children, who were sleeping in the same bed, were roused by the commotion.

Turla may have panicked and gone berserk, stabbing the victims before turning on himself, they said.

Mayor said they have yet to determine whether the rape happened and whether Turla was high on drugs at the time.