Family of 3 slain in Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines - A carpenter and his family were attacked by a former neighbor as they were preparing to attend Mass in Caloocan City yesterday.

Prudencio Torres; his wife, Milagros; and their 18-year-old daughter, Marjorie, died on the spot from gunshot wounds. Marjorie’s younger sister, Jonalyn, 12, was also wounded but survived. Her two brothers escaped unhurt.

Chief Inspector Ronald Perilla said the couple and their four children were about to go to church when somebody threw stones at their house in Bagong Silang at around 6 a.m. “The couple opened their door to check who was stoning their house and were met by a volley of gunfire,” he told The STAR.

Milagros was hit first. When Prudencio and Marjorie came to her rescue, they were also shot by the gunman, whom the surviving children identified as their former neighbor, Charlie Balboa.

Perilla said Balboa entered the victims’ house, firing indiscriminately and hit Jonalyn in the stomach. Jonalyn’s two brothers hid behind the door and were not shot. Balboa fled on foot, carrying his weapon.

Police recovered at least 17 shells for a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.

According to Perilla, Balboa and his family left their house, which is beside the Torreses, a week ago because the neighbors often quarreled. Balboa reportedly told the Torres family he would return.

“Prudencio and Charlie’s quarrel started when the latter confronted the Torres family for having an illegal connection to his power line. It was followed by several insignificant misunderstandings, resulting in a face-off in the barangay hall. Fed up, Balboa left their area, with a stern warning,” Perilla said.

Police Officer 1 Richard Canlas said Northern Police District investigation division chief Superintendent Ferdinand del Rosario, city police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Santos and city police investigation head Chief Inspector Rodrigo Soriano are conducting a joint investigation and manhunt for Balboa.