Left by wife, man stabs 4 kids in Davao del Norte: 3 dead, 1 wounded

DAVAO CITY—Despondent over his apparent separation from his wife, a 40-year-old carpenter stabbed his own four children, killing three of them and wounding another at their house in Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), Davao del Norte shortly before midnight on Thursday, police on Friday said.

Suspect Joel Nonoy also attempted to commit suicide by stabbing himself after attacking his children inside their house at Purok (Community) 1, Barangay (Village) San Isidro, Babak district, according to Chief Insp. Milgrace Driz, Southern Mindanao police regional spokesperson.

Driz identified the fatalities as RJ, 13; Cyrus, 11; and Aira Nicole, 7; while four-year-old Sophia is undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

Initial investigation revealed the victims were asleep at their house when the suspect attacked them with a knife before turning the weapon on himself, Driz said.

The three victims died upon arrival at a local hospital due to multiple stab wounds while the suspect had a slight self-inflicted wound.

Two of the slain kids were found sprawled on their belly on the bamboo floorboards of the house while the eldest lay on his side beside his siblings.

Police recovered at the scene two kitchen knives, believed to be the murder weapons.

The four-year-old survivor had non-life threatening wounds and is expected to recover, the police spokesperson said.

Driz said initial information revealed the children’s mother had left the family due to disagreements with the suspect.

Multiple parricide charges are set to be filed against the suspect, Driz said.  /jpv/ac