SAN QUINTIN, Pangasinan -- A mother and her two children were found in their house in Barangay Lagasit with multiple stab wounds in their bodies on Friday.
The Pangasinan Police Office identified the three victims as Crystalene Ogaco, 36, self-employed (online tutorial) and her children Ashley Jewel Morante, 10, and Jacob Morante, 6.
The victims were found around 1:30 p.m. on April 22.
Crystalene sustained 11 stab wounds and her son and daughter had not less than two stab wounds.
Responding to Pangasinan Police Provincial Director Colonel Richmond Tadina’s order for a hot pursuit operation against the suspect, the San Quintin Police were able to arrest the suspect identified as Dexter Lichauco alias Terio, 24, cousin of Crystalene and resident of Purok 5, Brgy. Lagasit, San Quintin, Pangasinan.
He is now in the custody of the police, according to Captain Ramsey Ganaban, chief of police of San Quintin.
“Tinitingnan pa natin kung ang pamamaslang sa biktima ay may kinalaman sa pangungutang ng suspek o ang sinasabing trip nito na takutin lang ang mga ito subalit nauwi sa krimen,” Captain Ganaban told Manila Bulletin.
“Aalamin din kung ang suspek ay posibleng gumagamit ng ilegal na droga,” added Ganaban.
Investigator was not able to recover the bladed weapon used by the suspect.
Meanwhile, the family of the victims is asking for justice.
“Ang araw na to ang pinakamasakit. Hindi ko kayang tumahimik lang lalo na at buhay ng ate ko at dalawang pamangkin ko na walang kamuang muang ang kinuhanan ng buhay. Hustisya!,” lamented Mark Anthony Lichauco Ogaco, brother of the victim.
Police said multiple murder is being readied for filing in court against the arrested suspect.