TV reporter testifies in Bulacan massacre trial

Carmelino Ibañez

CITY OF MALOLOS—A television news reporter testified that construction worker Carmelino Ibañez had admitted killing three children, their mother and their grandmother at the resumption of his trial on murder charges on Aug. 25.

Mariz Umali, a GMA-7 reporter, was one of the TV reporters summoned by the court to shed light on news broadcasts that said Ibañez had admitted killing five members of the family of security guard Dexter Carlos in the City of San Jose del Monte on June 27.

Umali told the court that Ibañez agreed to an interview on June 29, shortly after he was arrested, and had admitted killing Carlos’ wife, Estrella, his mother-in-law, Auring, and his three children in their house at Northridge Royale subdivision.

Lawyer Joey Cruz, Ibañez’s counsel, said his client had retracted all statements he made in front of news cameras. He said he was waiting for the results of Ibañez’s psychiatric evaluation which would determine if the accused was fit to stand trial. —CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE