A family of five was massacred in the municipality of Siocon in Zamboanga del Norte, police reported on Thursday.
According to police the incident occured in Sitio Padaun in Barangay Candiz early morning on Wednesday.
Brig. Gen. Jesus Cambay, director of the Zamboanga regional police, said one of the perpetrators was identified after one of the victims was able to call his brother about the presence of a group of armed men in their home as led by a certain Elpidio Obinana, alias Balondong.
“One of the victims identified as Aldrin Aban was able to inform his brother Tairon Aban through cellular phone call that Elpidio Obiniana and other unidentified suspects were in the place of the incident,” said Cambay.
When the cops arrived, the house of the victims was already on fire.
Residents informed them it was set ablaze by the suspects.
Cambay identified the victims as Carlito Advincula Aban, 60; Aldrin Berdanio Aban 20; Shannyn Cris Berdanio Aban, 17; Stephen Advincula Aban, 13; and, Rosalia Navales Quirit, 45.
Recovered at the crime scene were the burned bodies of the victims as with three pieces of spent .45 cartridge cases.
Police are eyeing personal grudge as motive.
“We condemn this arson and massacre. I already ordered my men to conduct aggressive pursuit operations to arrest the perpetrators,” said Cambay.