Police name suspect in Calamba killings

MANILA , Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday identified the suspect in the killing of eight people from two families in Calamba, Laguna before dawn Monday. A radio report quoted police officials as identifying the suspect as one Bernabe Fiesta, initially reported as a nephew of an erstwhile Philippine Constabulary official. The report said that Defiesta used an M-16 rifle that he got from his uncle, retired Philippine Constabulary Sgt. Florencio Peria. Later reports would confirm that Fiesta, alias Abe or Adan, was actually a caretaker of Peria, who tended to the latter's ampalaya (bitter melon) plantation. Fiesta hails from Kidapawan City in the central Mindanao province of Cotabato, police said. Peria had earlier denied involvement in the shooting incident but admitted to owning the three magazines recovered from the crime scene. He said he used to give out such gun items to friends who would usually ask from him. Investigators earlier traced Peria after finding an ammunition magazine which had Peria's name on it. Police said the suspect allegedly engaged in a shooting spree in the remote village of Hornalan in Calamba City between late Sunday and early Monday. Without even barging in the victims’ homes, the gunman aimlessly rained shots at four separate residences. Eight people, including children, emerged dead after the shooting rampage while six others were seriously hurt and are undergoing treatment. The fatalities were initially identified as Dennis Balisong, 29; daughters Gladys, 8, and Gladen, 7; Jerry Pili, 49; Gloria Pili, 39; Mary Jane Pili, 12; Sarah Pili, 9; and Julian Pili, 4. Rushed to the San Jose Hospital were Dennis' wife Marina Balisong, 31; son Dennis Mark Balisong, 5; Aurelio Abanilla, 52; Vicente Redondo, 42; Cherry Mae Pili, 17; and Erica Pili, 8. The suspect’s motive has yet to be ascertained even as investigators are trying to determine whether he was under the influence of drugs or had a long-standing grudge with the villagers when he assaulted them. The police will be holding a press conference later in the day to reveal further information about the suspected killer. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV