Businessman kills wife, daughter, in-laws in Vigan

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – A businessman, who reportedly had serious misunderstandings with his relatives, allegedly killed his wife, 16-year-old daughter, mother-in-law and brother-in-law before taking his own life in Barangay 2, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur after midnight yesterday.

Edwin Espinueva, 37, shot himself after shooting his wife Frances Ruela, 34; daughter Carla; brother-in-law Jeffrey Mendoza, 30; and mother-in-law Estrelita, 56; with a caliber .45 pistol and caliber .38 revolver, said Ilocos Sur director Senior Superintendent Noel Amoyen.

The suspect’s other daughter, Samantha, seven, was rushed to the hospital with a gunshot wound.

Policemen found the body of Estrelita in the living room while the other victims were in their respective rooms on the second floor of the house.

“They were shot while sleeping,” Amoyen said. “We are conducting a deeper investigation to find out the motive for the crime.”

Chief Superintendent Franklin Bucayu, Ilocos region police director, said policemen recovered a suicide note at the crime scene.

”Mama Weng, Sam and Karla, I love you very much...I did this because I don't want us to be separated from each other.... happy 15th year to my loving wife Frances Louella, I love you,” the suicide note read.

The suspect’s father-in-law, Jerry, told a radio interview that Espinueva had been maltreating his daughter.  g