ROXAS CITY, (PNA) — An outgoing village chief, who lost his bid for barangay councilman, shot to death his two sisters and brother early morning Tuesday in Barangay Manapao, Pontevedra town in Capiz.
Police identified the suspect as Manuel Arcenas Jr. The victims were his elder siblings Evelyn Arcenas-Espinar, 58; Jennifer Arcenas-Nuyles, 57; and Ramon Arcenas, 54.
Senior Insp. William Limjuco, chief of Pontevedra Police Station, said the incident, which happened at Ramon’s house, could have stemmed from the siblings’ disagreement over politics and inheritance.
In a radio interview, Ramon’s wife said Manuel came to their house and shot her husband on the head, and then fired at his two sisters.
The three victims were declared dead at Bailan District Hospital in Pontevedra.
Manuel remains at-large as of press time.
Initial investigation showed the suspect got angry at his older brother Ramon after the latter won as village chief against the suspect’s daughter.
Manuel, who is on his third and last term, reportedly pushed his daughter to run as he believed that he will top the race for councilman. The plan was let her daughter resign after a year, so he can take over as village chief.
Capiz Provincial Election Supervisor Wil Arceño said the massacre is election-related as victim Ramon had been requesting to place Barangay Manapao under the control of the Commission on Elections.