The wife of the man who killed himself after murdering their three children and his mother-in-law in Catmon town, North Cebu last Sunday confirmed that he was using drugs.
“They were texting each other last Tuesday and even told Eric he needed a haircut so he would look handsome. But the day after that, the exchange of messages turned sour after the suspect got jealous and accused her of having another affair,” said Senior Insp. Jose Rovic Villarin, Catmon police chief.
Villarin said Eric was a construction worker in Bohol but resigned after telling Jomeline that he would find another job.
Eric also used to be a Ceres bus fare collector but was laid off for alleged drug use.
Forgiveness
Eric and Jomeline were unable to meet in Catmon.
She stayed home because it was her day off last Friday and she reported to work at Lapu-Lapu City. Eric arrived at home in Catmon from Talisay City, Villarin said.
Jomeline was fetched by the barangay vehicle from Lapu-Lapu City and she later learned that her husband had killed their children Stephanne Nicole, 6, John Eric, 4 and Erica Lynn, one year and 10 months old and his 47-year-old mother-in-law Emilda Molat.
PO2 Vircelito Debulosan of the Catmon police earlier said Eric locked himself inside their house in sitio Manlayag, barangay Panalipan, Catmon town and shouted his plea for forgiveness after killing the children and mother-in-law.
Emilda and her husband Josepher, were busy preparing lunch in time for Stephanie’s sixth birthday when they were alerted by Stephanie’s shouts.
The couple failed to enter the room where the children and Eric were and Josepher ran for help.
Eric then hacked Emilda and killed himself.
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