Multiple cases against gunman, owner of rifle

Dubai: The suspected gunman and the owner of the rifle used in the strafing of houses that killed eight people in a farming village in southern Philippines shortly before midnight on Sunday will be facing multiple criminal cases in court, the spokesman of the Philippine National Police, said Monday.

National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said investigators handling the case are expected to file a case of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges against Allan Defiesta, the suspect assailant, and his uncle, Florencio Peria.

Peria, a retired non-commissioned officer of the defunct Philippine Constrabulary, owns the M-16 rifle which was used in shooting the victims' houses in a remote village in the province of Laguna.

Detectives are still tracking down Defiesta who fled after the shooting.

Peria, who was earlier taken into custody after investigators found an ammunition magazine that had his name at the crime scene, denied any involvement in the shooting.

Despite his explanation, investigators considered the retired constable's statement as an alibi prompting them to include him in the charge sheet, police said.

“He will still be included in the charge sheet and we expect the filing of the case today (Monday)," Bartolome said.

Eight people were killed in the shooting rampage while six others were injured.

The casualties were identified as Dennis Balisong, 29; daughters Gladys, 8, and Gladen, 7; Jerry Pili, 49; Gloria Pili, 39; Mary Jane Pili, 12; Sarah Pili, 9; and Julian Pili, 4.

Those undergoing treatment in a hospital were: Dennis' wife Marina Balisong, 31; son Dennis Mark Balisong, 5; Aurelio Abanilla, 52; Vicente Redondo, 42; Cherry Mae Pili, 17; and Erica Pili, 8.