By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A man shot dead his wife and two children before he committed suicide by shooting himself early Saturday morning, August 21, at Greenland Subdivision in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

Police identified the fatalities as 24-year-old Mary Rose Egca, one-year-old Ruth Esther Diaz, and seven-month-old Job Diaz.

Himamaylan City police chief, Police Lt. Colonel Romeo Vargas, said Egca was preparing to leave with her children in order to celebrate her birthday in her hometown in Binalbagan when she had a heated argument with the suspect identified as Raymundo Diaz.

Egca’s servant, whom police have requested not to identify, told police that she heard several gunshots inside the house and when she checked inside she found the lifeless bodies of Mary Rose and Ruth at the bed in their room, while Job was also found dead by the door.

The servant also found Diaz slumped in the room after attempting to commit suicide by shooting himself in the head.

The elder Diaz was immediately rushed to a hospital in Bacolod City, although he later succumbed to his wounds as he was receiving treatment.

Police are currently investigating the motive to the shootings./DGB, WDJ