Manila: A Filipino mayor has offered a reward of P200, 000 (Dh 16,666) for the arrest of four men who are thought to be behind the killing of an ex-Navy officer and four of members of his family, in the southwestern Philippines on Monday.
In a radio interview, Mayor Edward Hagedorn said the reward money could help to solve the multiple murder case.
Retired Lieutenant Commander Ernesto Paiton, 59; his wife Chief Petty Officer Carmelita Paiton, 55, their daughter Erlita Paiton, 21, a nurse, their niece Sharon Cabatuan, 19; and nephew Renato Cabatuan, 17, were found hacked to death in their home at the Officers’ Village, near the Naval Force headquarters in San Miguel village, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Two student relatives, on their return from school, found the five victims with their hands tied and mouths sealed by adhesive tape.
Cartographic sketches of two of the four suspects have been drawn-up by police with the help of some witnesses, said Chief Inspector Danilo Mendoza, head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Palawan.
The motives for the murders remain unknown. Robbery seems unlikely as Paiton’s wife had P9, 000.00 (Dh750) in cash in her pockets when she was found. However, the family’s land titles were missing, said Mabanta.
