4 slain, 3 hurt in Davao bloodbath

DAVAO CITY — Four people were killed and three others, including a Japanese man, were wounded in a massacre believed perpetrated by two of the victims’ own relatives who used crowbars in their rampage here last Friday night, police said.

The fatalities were identified as spouses Diosdado, 56, and Evelyn Lacorte, 48, their son, Kenneth, 9, and son-in-law Julius Villarmea, 22.

Wounded were Tomutso Ha—shiyugutzi and his wife Grace, a daughter of the Lacortes, and Villarmea’s three-year-old daughter Maria Carla Beatriz.

The Lacortes’ housemaid, Angeline Cabrera, who was unharmed, pointed to brothers Quemuel, 21, and Elbuena Balanay, 18, as the assailants.

The Balanays, who are now being hunted down, are said to be relatives of the victims and used to work for the Lacorte couple.

Cabrera told police that the Balanay brothers arrived at the Lacorte residence at Lanzona Subdivision past 8 p.m. and were even served dinner. The Lacorte couple asked them to stay for the night.

At about 10 p.m., Cabrera said the two attacked the victims with crowbars. She said she was spared because she was inside her room.

Hashiyugutzi and Grace arrived at about 11:30 p.m. and the Balanays opened the gate for them. They, too, were attacked.

Probers are still clueless on what motivated the massacre.