4 found dead in Bacolod home

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspects in the killing of four members of a family in Barangay Tangub in Bacolod City were arrested a few hours after the bodies of the victims were discovered on Wednesday.

The bodies of Jocelyn Nombre, 59; her sister Gemma Torre, 69; John Michael Espinosa, 35, and his six-year-old daughter were in an advanced state of decomposition when found by policemen who responded to a report that the victims could not be contacted by their relatives.

Jona delos Santos sought police assistance after she received a call from her brother Jonel, husband of Jocelyn, a seaman, that his wife has not been answering his calls.

Maj. Joey Puerto, Bacolod City police station 8 commander, said Christian Tulot, who was arrested in Salvador Benedicto town in Negros Occidental, confessed to the killing.

Joel Espinosa, whom Tulot linked to the crime, was held for questioning.

Joel is said to be a brother of Jocelyn and Gemma while Tulot is their nephew.

Initial investigation showed the victims suffered head injuries. There was no sign of forcible entry into the house.

Puerto said the killing could be drug-related as Tulot is said to be a drug user.

“Dapat managot ang sinumang may kagagawan ng karumal-dumal na krimen na ito,” Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda, Western Visayas police director, told Bacolod police chief Col. Manuel Placido. – Jennifer Rendon