Massacre suspect recants, admits to killing four relatives

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – He flipped.

Police here continue to focus their investigation on the first person of interest tagged in the murders of four persons at Gardenville Subdivision, Barangay Tangub here, after he recanted his earlier statement and admitted to killing them.

Police Major Joery Puerto, head of Police Station 8, said 39-year-old Christian Don Tulot told police in his recent statement that he was the only one who killed Jocelyn Espinosa-Nombre, 59; her sister Gemma Espinosa, 69; their nephew John Michael Espinosa, 35; and his six-year-old daughter on Sunday, April 4.

Tulot allegedly murdered them out of hatred.

Puerto said that Tulot, an adopted son of Nombre’s sister, told them that he allegedly committed the crime because of his grudges against Nombre and John Michael.

The suspect and the two victims would usually argue about money, since Tulot’s foster mother sends money through Nombre.

In fact, John Michael reported Tulot to the police in June 2020 after the latter allegedly threatened to kill him due to their misunderstanding, Puerto said.

Tulot owned up to the crime late Thursday afternoon, less than a day after he first confessed to the police that morning that he witnessed the killing of Nombre and John Michael.

He initially implicated Joel Espinosa, 57, brother of the two female victims, and a certain “Bro” in the crime.

In his first statement, Tulot alleged that Bro was the one who killed the four victims using a hammer, while Joel reportedly hacked Nombre in the head.

Tulot claimed that the incident stemmed from an argument between Bro and John Michael due to an alleged failed illegal drug transaction.

However, Puerto said they eliminated the illegal drugs angle as they believed that Tulot just made up the story to divert their investigation to the other persons of interest.

“Kung ako maglantaw, daw siya man na gani guro si Bro,” Puerto said.

Puerto said that it was Tulot who revealed to them the location of the cane cutter (espading) and the hammer used against the four victims.

The decomposing bodies of the victims were discovered last Wednesday after Nombre’s husband sought the help of his sister to check his wife since he could not reach her for three days.

Puerto also said that Tulot told the police that he robbed the victims’ cellular phones, a tablet, and some jewellery, before fleeing to Don Salvador Benedicto town, Negros Occidental.

Puerto said Tulot kept the stolen valuables at the house of a man where he would usually stay when he goes to the said town.

The house was traced through the help of the officials in Barangay Bunga, he added.

Puerto said the weapons that Tulot used in the crime, as well as the stolen valuables of the victims were already recovered.

Despite Tulot’s recent confession, Puerto said they will continue to investigate him as the primary suspect in the case since he is still inconsistent with his statements.

“Ma focus lang ta anay sa iya kay daw inconsistent pa man ang iya nga revelation so basi bunga ina sang withdrawal syndrome tungod sa gin take niya na drugs. Papahuwayanon siya anay para ma saysay niya gid kung ano natabo,” Puerto said.

Despite eliminating the angle on the failed illegal drug transaction, Puerto believes that the influence of illegal drugs on Tulot might have also triggered him to commit the crime.

Police recovered from Tulot P6,800 worth of suspected shabu when he was taken to Police Station 8 here, a few hours after the discovery of the victims’ bodies last Wednesday. He was already charged for illegal possession of drugs.

Meanwhile, Puerto said that Joel Espinosa was released from police custody on Thursday following Tulot’s recent confession.

“Wala man daw sila away ni Tulot, kay migohay man daw sila,” Puerto said.

Puerto said that multiple murder charges will be filed against Tulot on Monday.

He also said that they will focus more on Tulot’s grudges against the victims as the prime motive and will later proceed to the robbery angle.

Meanwhile, Mayor Evelio Leonardia lauded the city police force for immediately solving the case and for handling the investigation.

“Altogether, the BCPO did a very impressive job,” the mayor said.

Leonardia said that the swift action and solution of the policemen gives the people a sense of assurance that in the city, crime does not go unpunished.

Leonardia is hoping that such unfortunate and very sad incident will never happen again.

“May the victims rest in peace as we seek justice in their behalf,” the mayor said as he conveyed his deepest condolences to the family of the victims.