Tangub massacre suspect recants, claims he committed the crime alone

 By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Police Station 8 in Bacolod City now considers the Tangub massacre case as “solved” after the suspect on Thursday night, April 8, recanted his earlier statements and claimed he committed the crime alone.

Police Major Joery Puerto, Police Station 8 chief, said they found the initial statements given to them by Christian “Dondon” Tulot “misleading” when he named two other companions in the massacre: his uncle Joel Espinosa and a certain “Bro.”

Puerto further pointed out that they have recovered six mobile phones owned by the victims as well as several valuables at the suspect’s house in Barangay Bunga in Don Salvador Benedicto town.

Tulot also led police to where he hid the hammer and a 21-inch cane cutter he used for the murders. They were hidden in the kitchen of the victims’ house.

The suspect also admitted that he did the crime out of hatred and not illegal drugs, adding the murders occurred sometime between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 4.

Following this new development, Puerto said they are now preparing additional criminal charges against Tulot.

Tulot could face four counts of murder and robbery due to the discovery of the victims’ belongings at his house. The suspect is already facing charges for possession of illegal drugs after Don Salvador Benedicto police discovered five sachets of suspected shabu in his possession.

Meanwhile, the victims’ remains are scheduled to be buried this Saturday afternoon.

Earlier on Wednesday, April 7, the remains of Jocelyn Nombre, 60; Gemma Espinosa, 68; Michael Espinosa, 30; and Precious Espinosa, 6, were discovered rotting within the perimeter of their home in Gardenville Subdivision in Bacolod City’s Barangay Tangub.

The cadavers were found by Jona Delos Santos, sister of Nombre’s husband Jonel, a seafarer.

The Tangub massacre is the second recorded in the city in 21 years, following the Rivilla Massacre in December of 2000 when six family members and two house helpers were murdered./DGB, WDJ