Ilocos PNP chief orders: Probe slay of 5 family kin

By Mar T. Supnad 

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union-  Ilocos regional police director Chief Supt. Franklin Jesus B. Bucayu ordered a thorough probe on the August 2 shooting to death of five members of the Espinueva family in Vigan City.

Bucayo ordered Senior Supt. Samuel Amoyen, Ilocos Sur police chief to conduct the investigation citing a  report reaching the regional police office here that a suspect identified as Edwin Espinueva, 37, married and a businessman, shot to death his family members identified as Frances Lowela Espinueva, 34 (wife of the suspect); Carla Espinueva, 16 and 4th year high school student (daughter); Jeffrey Mendoza, 30, (brother-in-law) and Estrelita Mendoza, 56 (mother-in-law) all residents of Barangay 2 of said city.

Amoyen said based on investigation,  the shooting incident happened at about 1 a.m. when the suspect reportedly  entered to their room where his wife and his daughters were sleeping and suddenly shot them on their head causing Frances Roella and Carla to die on the spot while his other daughter was critically wounded.

               

“Misunderstanding and tinitingnan naming dahil may mga instances na nag aaway silang mag asawa

nakikitang nanay at kapatid ng babae o asawang suspek,” said Amoyen.

               

Amoyen said  responding lawmen recovered calibers 45 and 38  used in the incident by the suspect.

“We are still investigating it whether the guns used by the suspect are licensed or not,” added Amoyen.

               

Bucayu said one of the suspect’s daughters identified as Samantha Espinueva, 7, also suffered gunshot wounds and rushed by responding policemen to Metro Vigan Cooperative Hospital for immediate medical treatment.

               

Based on reports, the responding policemen forcibly entered the master’s bedroom and found out Edwin  lifeless holding a Cal. 45 pistol allegedly used in the killing.

               

Bucayu said the victim allegedly committed suicide after the killing.

               

A suicide note was recovered by the operatives at the crime scene stating the the suspect’s love for his family. “Mama wengsam and karla mahal na mahal ko kayo kaya ko nagawa ito…ayaw kong magkahiwahiwalay tayo …happy 15th year to my loving wife frances louella m espinueva I love you fram papa bong,” the suicide note  stated.

Amoyen said police recovered at the scene the pistols, bullets, magazines, and fired  Cal. 45 bullet.

               

These were turned over to the regional crime laboratory office for ballistics examination.