BY MAE SINGUAY AND DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – On her birthday, a mother and her two minor children died. They were allegedly shot by her common-law husband in their house at Greenland Subdivision, Barangay 4, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
Police identified the fatalities as 24-year-old Mary Rose Egca, one-year-old Ruth Esther and seven-month-old Job.
Tagged suspect was 59-year-old Raymundo Diaz who shot himself, too.
The shooting happened around 6:30 a.m. on Aug. 21.
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Vargas, chief of the Himamaylan City police station, Egca was preparing to leave with their children to celebrate her birthday in Barangay Payao, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental but a heated argument ensued between the couple.
Egca’s helper who requested not to be identified told the police she heard several bursts of gunfire in the couple’s bedroom and right away checked that was going on.
She found the lifeless bodies of Egca and Ruth on the bed while Job’s was by the door.
The helper said she also found Diaz slumped in the room, his head bleeding.
The elder Diaz was rushed to a hospital in Bacolod where he died.
Reports also revealed that the suspect had been suffering from depression due to pneumonia and diabetes.
A super .38 pistol and empty shells were recovered from the crime scene.
Investigation was ongoing./PN
