2 other suspects in killings of 5 family members in Masbate nabbed

LEGAZPI CITY––Police arrested on Monday the two other suspects who stabbed to death five members of a family in their house in Baleno town in Masbate province on Aug. 28.

Bicol police spokesperson Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib said after a two-day pursuit operation, operatives tracked down and arrested Deonilo Rabino, 39, and his brother Rowel, 25, in separate operations at 11:30 a.m. Monday in Aroroy town.

The report said Deonilo was collared in Sitio (sub-village) Gold-Bug in Barangay Syndicate, while his brother Rowel was nabbed in Barangay Capsay.

The Aroroy police turned over the arrested suspects to the Baleno police for custody at the town detention facility.

Police investigators said the 16-year-old male suspect, who was arrested earlier on Sunday, revealed to the probers the identities of his companions. He told the police that the elder Rabino is his father and Rowel is his uncle.

All three suspects are residents of Tinapian, a remote village in Baleno town where they are neighbors with the victims.

The minor suspect also confessed to police that the three of them killed Jesus Adigue, 70; his wife Adela, 67; their daughter Jennifer, 40, a widow; and her daughters Joyce, 17, and Kristelle, 14, all surnamed Albis. He told the police that they killed the victims after being caught trying to steal a cellphone from their house while the family slept on Saturday night.

Angel, 13, the lone survivor, also suffered stab wounds and is being treated in a hospital.

The police investigators would file charges for murder, homicide, and frustrated robbery against the three suspects.

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