Suspect in Bulacan family’s killing falls

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – A combination of shabu and alcohol drove a man to kill two women and three children in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan this week.

Carmelino Ibañes, 26, confessed to the killing after he was arrested on Wednesday. He was presented to the media yesterday. 

The bodies of Auring Dizon, 54, bore 32 stab wounds; her daughter Estrella Carlos, 35, had 45 stab wounds, while her grandchildren Donny, 11; Ella, 7, and Dexter Jr., 1, had 15, 19 and five stab wounds, respectively. The husband of Carlos, Dexter, found them when he arrived from his night duty as a security guard at around 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday.

Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police director, said Ibañes admitted in front of his mother and sister following his arrest that he stabbed the victims to death. Ibañes said he also raped Dizon and Carlos.

During the press conference, Ibañes said he was high on drugs and drunk when he committed the crime. He asked forgiveness from the family of the victims. 

Prior to the incident, Ibañes said he had a drinking spree and a shabu session with two men he identified only as Tony and Paseno.  On his way home, he said he “heard whispers” telling him to enter the house of the victims. 

However, he said he could not recall if he was with anyone when he committed the crime.

Police said a passerby saw Ibañes, with his hands and T-shirt bloodied, coming out of the house of the victims.

Ibañes was detained at the San Jose del Monte police station.

Investigation into the killings is ongoing, with six other persons invited for questioning.

Aquino said a knife, hair and other items recovered at the scene were turned over to Camp Crame for examination.