STA. MARCELA, Apayao – A 32-year-old farmer killed his three drinking buddies then himself in Purok 2, Barangay Sipa here, Monday, Aug. 29.
The suspect, Norvie Pacheco Romerro, 32, and the fatalities, Bong Badua Ramirez, 48; Ryan Santi Soriano, 39, and Edmar Turilla Aguinaldo, 30, are all farmers, married, and residents of the area.
Another drinking buddy, Stephen Jones Baysa Salvatiera, 33, was wounded in the incident.
Their other drinking buddies, Benjamin dela Cruz, 24; Frederick Manuel, 47, and Ericson Aguinaldo, 24, survived.
Police Brig. Gen. Mafelino Bazar, Police Regional Office-Cordillera chief, quoting a report from the Sta. Marcela Municipal Police Station, said the victims and the suspect were happily drinking at around 11 p.m. at Manuel's house.
For unknown reasons, the suspect drew a gun from his sling bag and shot his friends.
Ramirez, Soriano, and Aguinaldo were hit in the head and Salvatiera in the shoulder.
Dela Cruz, Manuel, and Aguinaldo fled and were able to hide nearby.
After shooting the victims, the suspect shot himself in the head, killing him on the spot.
The father of the suspect, Norberto, arrived at the scene and took the gun and left.
The gun, a Glock 17 Generation 4 with defaced serial number, was recovered in a follow-up operation.
Bazar said the suspect's father will be charged with obstruction of justice for taking the gun, a crucial piece of evidence in the crime.