Probers to examine massacre victim's phone

MANILA, Philippines - Investigators will examine the cellular phone of one of the five victims in last Monday’s massacre in Puerto Princesa City for possible leads, the military said yesterday.

Lt. Col. Samuel Cabang, Armed For-ces Western Command spokesman, said Navy Petty Officer Carmelita Paiton was sending text messages while in a military conference held before she, her husband, daughter and two relatives were killed.

“She (Paiton) knew that they were expecting a visitor that day. Perhaps they (suspects) also wanted to kill her,” Cabang told radio station dzRH yesterday.

“But her cell phone was recovered as well as that of her husband. According to our investigators, they can get a lead from there to be able to solve the case,” he added.

Cabang said Paiton’s seatmate during the Western Command conference saw the victim using her mobile phone.

“While we were holding the conference, her (Paiton) seatmate saw her sending a text message and she mentioned that a visitor would come to their house,” he said.

Aside from Paiton, 55, the other fatalities were her husband, retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ernesto Paiton, 59, their daughter Erlita, 21; and the Paiton couple’s niece Sharon Cabatuan, 19, and nephew Renato Cabatuan, 17.

The crime happened at the residence of the Paitons, located some 300 meters away from the gates of the Naval Officers’ Village in Barangay San Miguel, Puerto Princesa City.

Cabang confirmed that Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn has offered P200,000 for information that would solve the case.