A FAMILY of three, including a 10-year-old child, were brutally murdered in their store in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, on Wednesday afternoon.
Three armed men, wielding .45 caliber pistols, stormed the store and opened fire, killing the husband, wife, and their son instantly. After the horrific act, the suspects fled the scene on two motorcycles.
Authorities recovered spent bullet casings at the crime scene and immediately launched a manhunt operation. Two brothers have been arrested, while the remaining two suspects are still at large.
The motive behind the crime is believed to be related to a debt. Police investigations revealed a previous dispute between the victims and the suspects over a financial obligation.
The family’s store had previously been targeted with a grenade attack, which led to a settlement where the suspects paid ₱150,000 and surrendered the title to their land.
Authorities are also investigating the possibility of a contract killing.
The arrested suspects are currently detained at the San Leonardo Police Station and will face multiple murder charges. The search for the remaining suspects continues.
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