ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines – A man believed suffering from a mental illness hacked to death a mother and her three children aged two to seven and a couple in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday morning, police said.
Another resident survived the carnage as he fought back and killed the bolo-wielding suspect, a certain Otao Arnatis.
Police identified the victims as Merlita Langubon-Emoc, 27, and her children Junrey, Merlyn, and Nak-nak, aged seven, four and two, respectively; Samuel Langubon Anligis, 57, and his wife, Presciosa, 59, all residents of Barangay Labangon, Dumingag town.
Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesman of the Region 9 police, said Arnatis traveled on foot to Barangay Labangon from an adjoining village and emerged at the Emocs’ house brandishing a bolo at around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Without apparent reason, Huesca said Arnatis attacked Emoc and her children, and then went to the Anligis’ home and hacked the old couple to death.
Arnatis also attacked Anligis’ son, Lito, who despite his wounds, managed to grab a bolo and fought back and killed Arnatis.