7 relatives killed, buried in shallow pit

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Seven relatives believed seized by still unidentified persons were found buried together in a shallow grave in Sapad, Lanao del Norte on Sunday.

The Lanao del Norte police identified the fatalities as Joselito Gaviola and his wife Marly, and Elvie, Epifanio Sr., Epifanio Jr., Jomar and Jopay, all surnamed Lenara.

Reports said the bodies bore multiple gunshot wounds.

The fatalities were found by a resident, who stumbled upon the freshly dug grave in a coconut farm in Barangay Karkum, according to Sapad police chief Maj. Alibsar Daraba.

The Gaviolas were residents of Barangay Sangali in Zamboanga City, while the Lenaras were from Margossatubig, Zamboanga del Sur, according to a report from the Sapad police.

Police and personnel of the municipal health office said the victims were relatives.

Text messages spreading around Lanao del Norte indicated the victims were seized somewhere and brought to Sapad to be buried in an area away from residential houses to mislead investigators.

The bodies were brought to a funeral parlor in Barangay Curvada in the nearby town of Kapatagan.

Probers have yet to determine the motive for the killing and identify suspects.