ISAFP agent tagged in slay of 4 surrenders

CALAPAN CITY, Philippines – A civilian agent of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), tagged as one of five men who allegedly killed four members of a family in Oriental Mindoro, has surrendered, police reported over the weekend.

Mark Anthony Flores gave himself up to Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino of the Military Intelligence  Group based in Camp Eldridge, Los Baños, Laguna, said Oriental Mindoro police director Senior Superintendent Ronaldo de Jesus.

Flores and four other men allegedly shot dead farmer Hector Saulong and his children Ricric, Stephanie and Prince Clarence at the family’s home in Barangay Labonan, Bonga-bong.

Hector’s wife, Josephine, survived the killing as she was in the bathroom when the suspects barged into their home.

De Jesus said Josephine identified Flores as one of the lookouts, along with a certain “Alex.”

He said police are looking into the possible connection between this week’s killing and the murder of Hector’s eldest son David in 2013.

De Jesus said Flores denied involvement in the killing although he admitted he and the victims are relatives. 

Investigators initially eyed land dispute as the motive for the killing.