Massacre suspect commits suicide

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – A suspect in the massacre of a family of four last year was found dead, hanging by the neck, in his detention cell in Aparri, Cagayan shortly after midnight Sunday.

Chief Inspector Romar Pacis, Aparri police chief, said a suicide note was found near the body of Virgilio Martinez, 48, a resident of Barangay Mabuno in Gattaran town.

Martinez and his companion surrendered to authorities last November and admitted killing Danny Bagiwong, 40, his wife and their two children.

Martinez said they only wanted to kill the Bagiwong patriarch, whom they suspected of stealing their farm animals, but were forced to kill his family members after they witnessed the crime.