3 more hunted in Palawan massacre

MANILA, Philippines - Police are hunting three more suspects in the massacre of a retired Navy officer and four family members in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan last Aug. 9.

Senior Superintendent Caesar Daniel Miranda, Puerto Princesa police chief, said a witness spotted the three suspects with the primary suspect, Florencio Magada, 37, on board a tricycle while they were on their way to the house of retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ernesto Paiton and while they were leaving the crime scene.

Miranda said the three suspects were included in the multiple murder complaint, but their identities remained unknown as of press time.

“The three possibly acted as lookouts,” Miranda said.

Police said Magada has yet to give his statement on the killing of Paiton, 59; his wife, Chief Petty Officer Carmelita Paiton, 55; their daughter Erlita Paiton, 21; niece Sharon Cabatuan, 19; and, nephew Renato Cabatuan, 17.

Magada is now detained at the Puerto Princesa City jail.

Miranda said the possibility of Magada having accomplices cropped up due to the manner the Paitons were slain.

Police learned that the Paitons had terminated Magada as caretaker of their farm.

Possibly adding to Magada’s grudge toward the Paitons, according to the police, was when the retired Navy officer only gave him P200 when he reportedly asked for P500 for the medicine of his sick wife and daughter, who both eventually died.

In a police lineup, a witness positively identified Magada as the one allegedly fleeing the crime scene wearing a blue jacket and bloodstained pants.

Police recovered the blue jacket in Magada’s possession as well as an infant shirt with bloodstains, a white t-shirt also with bloodstains, and two bolos measuring 23.4 inches and 21.7 inches long.