Ex-seaman shoots self, family dead in Cebu

A former seaman shot dead his wife, their three children, and their household helper before shooting himself in Talisay City in Cebu province early Sunday. Cebu police chief Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador Jr. said the incident occurred at 7:30 a.m. in Tabunoc village. Police are looking into information that the former seaman, initially identified as Emmanuel Ponce, may have shot members of his household after suffering from nervous breakdown, radio dzBB's Glen Juego reported.

A report on Bombo Radyo identified the fatalities as Ponce; his wife Melenda; two of the three children as Ellen Joy, 26, and Peter Joy, 25; and household helper Anastacia Velliga, 30. A separate report on Sun.Star Cebu Sunday afternoon said one of Ponce's children survived the shooting supposedly after Emmanuel told her to call an ambulance. The Bombo Radyo report said that when authorities arrived at the scene, Emmanuel had already shot himself. Police are still investigating what caused the suspect to shoot his own family members. — KBK, GMA News