MANILA, Philippines --- A family of four, including two children aged six and eight, were brutally murdered before their cadavers were stuffed inside a septic tank in Cagayan de Oro City.
Senior Inspector Richie Yandog, precinct commander in Cagayan de Oro City, said they have already arrested a man whom they suspect, 18-year-old Arman Abuyen, to be responsible for the murders.
He identified the victims as Christopher Lastimosa, his wife Sumagang, and their children Christian and Chamley.
''All the cadavers were retrieved from the septic tank, we are still conducting investigation to determine how they were murdered,'' said Yandog.
Yandog narrated that the killing was only known when the brother of Sumagang proceeded to the house of the victims at Zone 5, in Agong, Barangay Canitoan, as they were all not answering phone calls.
Police assistance was called when traces of blood were seen inside the house.
Yandog said the cops spotted Abuyen near the kitchen of the victims' house.
He ran away when the cops tried to approach him, resulting in a brief chase that resulted in his arrest.
Senior Superintendent Gerardo Rosales, director of the Cagayan de Oro City police, said Abuyen has wounds in the hands, an indication that the victims fought off.
A background check revealed that Lastimosa allowed Abuyen to stay in their house after the latter's was evicted from his house. It was learned that Lastimosa and Abuyen are acquaintance.
''The arms of Lastimosa were even cut off apparently for his body to fit on the opening of the septic tank,'' said Yandog.
Investigation is being conducted to determine the motive of the killing, with cops saying they are not discounting the possibility of robbery as one of the motives.
Yandog said the neighbors of the victims heard shouting inside the house early Monday morning, but they ignored it believing that it was just a marital spat.
Recovered in the area are three blood-stained knives, which are believed to be murder weapons.
Probers believe that the suspect was high on drugs when he perpetrated the incident, after a sachet of shabu was recovered from him.
