BULACAN MASSACRE: DNA samples from victim,prime suspect match

Acting Bulacan province police chief Senior Superintendent Romeo Carmat Jr. said the swabs taken from victim Estrella Carlos and suspect Carmelino Ibañes matched. Michael Ibañez/File

MALOLOS, Philippines – The prime suspect in the massacre of five family members in San Jose del Monte City last week tested positive in the DNA tests done by the Bulacan police crime laboratory.

Acting Bulacan province police chief Senior Superintendent Romeo Carmat Jr. said the swabs taken from victim Estrella Carlos and suspect Carmelino Ibañes matched.

The tests for the four other persons of interests – Rolando Pacinos alias Inggo, Anthony Rose alias Tony, Rosevelt Sorema alias Ponga and Alvin Mabesa – yielded negative results.

In a press conference at Camp Alejo Santos yesterday, Carmat pointed out that the vaginal and buccal swabs, hair strands, fingernails, knife and bloodied clothes of the victims, primary suspect and persons of interest were all subjected to DNA tests.

The match, he added, vindicated investigators who looked into the killing of Auring Dizon, 58; her daughter Estrella Carlos, 35; and grandchildren Donny, 11; Ella, 7; and one-year-old Dexter Jr., who all sustained multiple stab wounds when they were attacked at their house on June 27.

Caramat said the DNA results would be submitted to the prosecutor’s office so charges for two counts of rape and five counts of murder could be filed against Ibañes, now  detained at the San Jose del Monte city jail.

Ibañes earlier admitted to his participation in the massacre of the Carlos family.

Chief Inspector Paul Ed Ortiz, Bulacan crime laboratory officer, pointed out that Ibañes’ DNA profile matched the sample from Estrella’s genitals. He tested negative in the sample taken from Dizon.

San Jose del Monte police chief Superintendent Fitz Macariola explained that rape could still be considered in Dizon’s case.

At the crime scene, both Dizon and Estrella were found with their undergarments lowered.

The DNA tests also showed that the knife used in the stabbing tested positive for Auring, Estrella, Ella and Dexter Jr.’s blood but negative for Donny.

Macariola opined that another weapon might have been used in the massacre. Forensic investigators said it is also possible that two different knives with the same length and width might have been used in the massacre since the stab wounds were almost of the same width and length.

DNA tests on the bloodied shirt and shorts also yielded negative results. Police said soap could have already corrupted these.

Caramat said they now consider the case closed, although it could still be reopened if new pieces of evidence surface.

Ibañes earlier implicated Pacinos and Rose to the crime while suspects Sorema and Mabesa were implicated by confidential informants, Caramat said.

He noted that even if Ibañes recanted his previous admission, on the DNA results would pin him down. – With Ric Sapnu

                    

Show comments