Family, charged for killing 5 neighbors, eyed in other QC murders

MANILA, Philippines - Members of a family who were charged in the massacre of their five neighbors last November are also being linked to other killings in Quezon City, police said yesterday.

“We are now waiting for other complainants to surface so that we can find out what these other deaths are,” said Inspector Elmer Monsalve, head of the homicide investigation section of the Quezon City Police District, referring to members of the Badilla family.

Monsalve said after charges have been filed against members of the Badilla family, their neighbors started to speak to police about other persons the suspects allegedly killed.

Last Friday, five members of the Badilla family and two others were charged before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office with five counts of murder and frustrated murder charges for killing their five neighbors on the night of Nov. 28 in Barangay Batasan Hills.

Named in the complaint were Badilla brothers Francisco, Benjamin and Benedicto; Francisco’s son, Arjay; Benjamin’s son, Melvin; Marlon Andamo; and a certain Ecat.

Monsalve said some of the suspects work for the barangay hall, Francisco is a barangay executive officer; Benjamin, a member of a barangay committee; and Ecat, a barangay watchman.

Witnesses identified the suspects as the persons who allegedly shot Liberato Paez, 50; Rogelio Diomampo, 36; Rogelio Agustin, 49; and Germinio Manansala, 44; and Armando Garcia, 47. Also wounded during the shooting was Zaldy Ballesteros, 43. All six victims were drinking in front of Ballesteros’ house when the shooting occurred.

Monsalve said the suspects were identified by the two daughters of Paez, who is the president of the homeowners’ association.

Paez’s widow, Jessica, 47, said the Badilla family were angry at her husband since they would lose their home once the local government awards the land to residents next year.