Balikbayan couple found dead in Quezon City house
MANILA, Philippines—A couple who came home last week from work abroad were found dead with gunshot wounds in their home in Quezon City Friday morning.
The bodies of Erika Mauricio and Al Bryan Padua were discovered in the woman’s house in Barangay Roxas District by a tenant of theirs, but it was unclear who shot whom.
“It may be a case of suicide, or an instance of homicide and suicide,” said Chief Inspector Rodelio Marcelo, head of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit.
Mauricio was found with a lone gunshot wound in the temple, while her partner had a gunshot wound in the back of the head.
“It appears that the bullet entered through the mouth and exited at the back of his head, so it’s possible that the gun was placed in the mouth before it went off,” Marcelo said.
When the bodies were discovered, the couple’s five-year-old son was seen crying in one corner, asking to be given milk.
The shooting was discovered at around 5 a.m. Friday at Mauricio’s house on Azucena Street by a tenant, Ginalin Famatiga.
Case investigator Police Officer 2 Alvin Quisumbing said the couple had been working abroad in different countries. However, relatives said they had not been on good terms lately, quarrelling frequently.
“Mauricio worked in Dubai and came home last May 15 with their five-year-old son, while Padua was working in Japan and arrived last May 17,” the investigator said.
He noted that Mauricio and her son had gone to the airport to fetch Padua when he came home.
At around 3 a.m. Friday, Famatiga was awakened by the sound of two gunshots but did not mind them. However, curiosity got the better of her two hours later, prompting her to check the couple’s room.
Quisumbing said Mauricio was found slumped on the bed while the lifeless Padua was in a sitting position on the floor.
The boy was unhurt and crying in a corner. Police said they had yet to talk to the boy.
Police were checking if the Colt .45 pistol found near Padua was licensed. Found were two live bullets and two casings.
Quisumbing added that the two bodies would be subjected to paraffin tests to check for traces of gunpowder.
“Once we determine which body has powder burns, we will know who fired the gun,” the investigator added.
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