BACOLOD CITY -- A woman, who was supposed to celebrate her 25th birth anniversary Saturday, Aug. 21, and her two children died after they were shot by her live-in partner, who then shot himself at home in Barangay 4, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
Police identified the victim as Mary Rose Egca of Binalbagan, her daughter aged one and nine months, and son aged seven months, whose names were withheld.
Wounded was suspect identified as Raymundo Diaz, 59, of Barangay 4.
Police Lt. Arturo Margallo Jr., deputy police chief of the Himamaylan City Police Station, said the couple allegedly figured in an argument early that day, prior to the shooting.
Margallo said the couple’s maid, who was outside their house, heard four gunshots, prompting her to call for police assistance.
Police arrived and Margallo said they saw Diaz lying on the floor with a super .38 caliber pistol beside him, while Egca was also seen lying near him, with a lone bullet wound in the forehead.
The two children were also lying on the floor with a lone bullet wound each in the face and head, Margallo said.
Egca and the children were brought to the hospital, but were declared dead on arrival, Margallo said.
Margallo said that Diaz is in critical condition in a private hospital here.
Although four of them had bullet wounds, Margallo said it is not conclusive yet if Diaz attempted to kill himself after allegedly shooting the three victims.
Police also recovered from the scene four empty shells of super .38 caliber pistol.
Margallo said they have not yet determined if the couple had previous arguments.
But Margallo said that initially Diaz did not want them to go to Egca’s family to celebrate her birthday there.
“We’re still trying to determine the scenario,” Margallo said.