Suspect in Negros Occidental massacre surrenders

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — “My conscience is bothering me,” said 27-year-old Jemar Carpio, the suspect in the killing of a couple and their son at Barangay Cansalongon in Isabela town, Negros Occidental last week.

Carpio, a native of Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental, surrendered to the authorities Friday morning, or six days after he massacred the Carpentero family—57-year-old Ricardo, his wife Consuelo, 59, and son Carlo, 23. The victim’s daughter, 25-year-old Sheila Mae, who was wounded and confined in a hospital in Bacolod, is now in stable condition.

Carpio, upon his surrender to the Isabela authorities, admitted in killing the family after he was barred from playing a computer game in the family-owned Internet café.

When asked why he did it, an apparently dazed Carpio first went silent and then uttered in Hiligaynon dialect: “I don’t know. I blacked out. I didn’t know why I did that.”

Saying he regretted his act very much, Carpio then asked for forgiveness from the family of the victims, and that he is willing to face the consequences of his actions. He said his conscience bothered him and that he could not stand being hunted by the police, thus he surrendered.

Carpio admitted he got addicted to computer games, DOTA and Call of Duty, and that he had taken shabu before. On the day of the incident, he revealed he had not eaten for several days while playing those online games.

After the massacre, Carpio said he fled, with only P1,000 in his pocket, to Barangay San Agustin on foot and stayed there for four days before going to Cebu, where he later contacted his parents and told them he was ready to turn himself in.

Carpio was then brought back by his uncle to Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, where authorities were already waiting for him at the Balogo Port for his arrest.

The suspect’s mother, Janet Carpio, said his son is the eldest of five children. She added that he was addicted to computer games and that, once he started playing, he can only go for days by drinking coffee only and without eating anything.

Isabela Mayor Enrique Montilla III said the suspect must pay the price for the heinous crime. “We are all dismayed with what he did. That is not normal. But as I’ve said, this was an isolated case and I hope this will not happen again.”

The mayor also lauded the town police for their speedy action, “I cannot say that this is a happy ending because of what happened, but at least, there is closure for the family.”

Chief Inspector Anthony Grande, Isabela Police chief, said his office are now preparing the charges—three counts of murder and one frustrated murder—against Carpio, who is now detained at the police detention cell and is scheduled for a drug test.

Grande added that the police are still waiting for the affidavit of survivor Sheila Mae, who is still in trauma.  (FREEMAN)