Man kills self after killing son, granddaughter

CEBU, Philippines - A man shot himself dead shortly after killing his son and three-year-old step-granddaughter in Barangay Campo, San Francisco, Camotes Island, last Friday night.

Lucas Donaire, 47, allegedly went wild and stabbed his son, Kevin Donaire, and then three-year-old Samantha Medillo to death before shooting himself. Samantha is his wife’s daughter by a previous partner.

Police Officer 1 Jose Argallon said there was no warning the suspect would go on a killing spree prior to the incident, according to his wife, Bernardita, who survived the incident.

Bernardita told the police station that that afternoon she and the suspect and the two victims, gathered together and talked about anything they could think of.

“Wala gyud kuno’y timailhan bisan gamay na magbuhat siya ug ingon adto,” Argallon said.

Argallon added that when the suspect took a knife from the kitchen and held it in his had for some time, Bernardita did not suspect that the weapon would be used for the crime.

Around 7:30 p.m., Bernardita said she was just shocked when she found her husband pointing a gun at her and fired.

She ran for her life and was able to escape.

The suspect then turned his attention to Kevin and Samantha who were left inside the house.

He stabbed Kevin once on the left side of his chest. When Kevin slumped to the ground already bloodied and unconscious, the suspect grabbed Samantha who was crying and stabbed her several times.

After receiving the report the police responded and saw the suspect holding the bloodstained knife in one hand and an unlicensed caliber .38 cal. revolver in the other.

The police, with the assistance of the barangay captain, Alfredo Muana, tried to negotiate with the suspect to get him to surrender.

However, the suspect suddenly cried and said his life has no value anymore. He then pointed the gun as the center of his forehead and fired.

The authorities tried to take him to the hospital but he died a few minutes later.

The victims were rushed to the Ricardo Maningo District Hospital in hopes they could be revived, but to no avail.

Argallon said a suicide note was found in the victim’s wallet. The note said the suspect was depressed as he has had tuberculosis for the past few months now.

He believed he infected the two victims so he decided to end their sufferings by killing them.

Argallon said the suspect apparently believed the rumors from his neighbors that he acquired hepatitis due to tuberculosis and will eventually die.

“Nasamad man daw nang iyang baga maong ila gipa-check up. Giingnan siya sa doctor na ayaw katuo anang mangingon nimo nga gi-hepa ka. Diha na nuon ka mutuo nila? Diri tuo nako,” Argalon said, quoting Bernardita.

He said the suspect, together with the victims, went for a checkup at a medical clinic in Cebu City last January and the three of them tested negative for tuberculosis.

However, the victim apparently believed the rumors and decided to just end his life and take his family with him. —Niña G. Sumacot/BRP (THE FREEMAN)