Family of 4 massacred

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Armed men barged into a home in Vintar, Ilocos Norte, hogtied and gagged the mouths of four family members with plaster and then shot them dead before dawn yesterday, authorities said.

The victims were identified as Amador Castro, his wife Marciana and their two daughters, Mercy and Remelyn.

The gunmen though spared Remelyn’s six-year-old son and seven-month-old daughter of Remelyn, whom they brought to another room before the shooting spree.

Neighbors said they heard gunshots but could not immediately go to the Castros’ home as it was far from the cluster of houses in the village.

Police were still clueless on the motive behind the massacre. – Artemio Dum­lao, Teddy Molina