Suspect in Lumban massacre confesses to murder over P3,000, say police

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL, Sta. Cruz Laguna—The suspect in the murders of a mother and her two sons in Lumban, Laguna, admitted to killing his victims over P3,000.

“Our analysis is that he wasn’t compensated enough for his job (which drove him to kill the family),” said Inspector Jaylet Castillejo, Lumban police chief, in a phone interview on Tuesday.

Castillejo was referring to Alex Pereja, 18, the suspect in the massacre of Dolor Olarte, 39, and her two sons Kemp, 13, and Arvie, 9, inside the victims’ home in Barangay (village) Segunda Pulo on Monday morning.

The victims died of multiple hack wounds in the body.

Pereja reportedly fled to his father’s home in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, where he was arrested at around 5 p.m. on Monday.

He is a distant relative of the victims and worked as an errand boy to the family.

Castillejo said the suspect, in his statement to police, admitted killing the victims and stealing P3,000.

“He must have deeper reasons (other than stealing the P3,000 cash). He wouldn’t tell us what the money was for,” he said.

Police said the victims’ family was still trying to ascertain if anything more was stolen from the family.

Meanwhile, police were also getting in touch with Dolor’s husband, a seafarer.

Charges of robbery and multiple homicide would be filed against Pereja, said the police.