The Taguig City police filed a parricide complaint (three counts) against Aiko Siacunco before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office Monday (December 28) over the death of his wife, Karina on Christmas eve, and his two children on Christmas Day in their home in North Signal, Taguig.
Parricide is committed when a person kills “his father, mother, or child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, or any of his ascendants, or descendants, or his spouse” and carries the penalty of reclusion perpetua (maximum imprisonment of 40 years).
Siacunco, 29 will undergo inquest proceedings to determine whether there is probable cause to charge him in court.
According to Karina’s sister, Socorro, their father filed a separate complaint against Siacunco before the Taguig police over the deaths of Karina and her two children.
Taguig City Police Chief Col. Celso Rodriguez said based on their investigation, Siacunco killed his wife Karina, 28 on Dec. 24 and murdered his two kids, Akira, 3, and Kion, 1, at about 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 25.
Karina died of asphyxia by strangulation. The police said Siacunco allegedly strangled her with his hands before hanging her to deceive investigators and her family and make it appear that she committed suicide.
On Christmas Day, Siacunco reportedly strangled his young children with his hands and rope, and covered them with a pillow. He later surrendered to the police.
The remains of the three victims will be brought to Bgy. Bolalaco, New Lucena, Iloilo by their father as soon as the required documents are completed.
The family has raised funds from the public to bring the remains of the deceased to Iloilo and alaso sought financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Karina worked as a call center agent. Her officemate posted on Facebook that Karina was promoted as trainer apprentice and was about to start her training for the new job when she died.
Rodriguez earlier said depression and jealousy were the two possible motives why Siacunco killed his wife and kids. Siacunco was reportedly depressed because he was jobless and criticized as Karina was the one supporting the family.
Relatives said Siacunco became jealous every time Karina would receive calls from clients but he never proved she was having an affair.
‘No reason to commit suicide’
Socorro described Karina, their eldest, as “very caring.”
In a chat with Manila Bulletin, Socorro said Karina and Aiko were classmates at the Taguig City University and Aiko was the only man Karina introduced to their family. They got married in 2016.
Socorro described Aiko as a domineering husband who kept an eye on Karina’s every move. She said every time there was a family gathering and they would ask Karina how she was, Aiko would reportedly call her to prevent her from talking to them further, suspecting she might say things against him.
The family had no inkling that there was a problem between Aiko and Karina. Socorro said every time she would ask Karina through chat how she was, she would always say, ‘OK lang (I’m OK).” Karina’s last chat with Socorro was on Dec. 20.
Soccoro learned about Karina’s death when she received a message from Aiko’s sibling who told her “wala na raw po si Karina (Karina is gone).”
“Anong wala na e nandiyan lang yan sa bahay (What do you mean she’s gone? She’s there in her house),” Socorro told Aiko’s sibling, who replied, “Hindi po, patay na po si Karina (Karina is dead).” She called Aiko’s sibling who confirmed that Karina committed suicide.
“Walang reason si ate para mag-suicide (My sister has no reason to take her own life),” Socorro said.
This Christmas, Socorro said she sent Karina Bluetooth earplugs and bought “couple shirts” for her and Aiko.
Aiko, she said, was a call center agent, too who has been jobless for three years now. Socorro said she would send money to Karina and the kids as support.
Soccoro said her family wants justice for Karina and the two kids and are hoping that the case will be resolved quickly.
“Yung tipong hindi bababa ang sentensiya sa kanya maski na sumuko siya. Gusto ko mabuhay siya. Ayoko siyang mamatay. Yung death penalty? Huwag. Gusto ko araw-araw niya sisihin ang sarili niya, makita niya sa isip nya yung itsura ng mga pamangkin ko (His sentence should not be reduced despite his surrender. I want him to live. I don’t want him to die. Death penalty? No. I want him to blame himself every day and remember how my niece and nephew looks like),” said Socorro.