Family of 3 slain by kin

Batangas, Philippines – A woman and her two children were stabbed to death by their own relative in Lian town this province Saturday night, police said.

Senior Inspector Joel Laraya, Lian police chief, identified the victims as Merlita Austria, 48, and her children Emmanuel, 28, and Emelita, 27, all residents of Barangay Luyahan, Lian town.

Police are now hunting down the suspect, identified as Roldan Mendoza, 26, a nephew of Austria.

Reports said Mendoza and Emmanuel had a heated argument, leading to the former’s fatal stabbing of the latter. Witnesses said Austria and her daughter Emelita came to Emmanuel’s rescue, but they, too, were stabbed. – Arnell Ozaeta, Cecille Suerte Felipe