Tragedy in Talisay: Pa kills Wife, 3 children, and housemaid then self

It was a normal Sunday in Cebu for most of its residents; but, for one family in Talisay City, it was a tragic day. Six people met their gruesome end when a retired seaman shot to death his wife, helper, and 3 children. He then shot himself in the temple after sparing his youngest child and telling her to get out of the house and call the police.

The man was 55 year old Emmanuel Ponce of  Palm View Village in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City. the other fatalities were wife Melinda, 53, household helper  Anastacia Deniega, 30, and children Elaine Grace, 26; Heather Joy, 24; and son Emlin Bridge, 18.

Running buff and banker

Melinda Ponce works as a cashier at Banco de Oro and she is a known figure in the running scene in Cebu. She was an avid runner and ultra-marathoner. She won the women’s category  of 2 recent local ultra-marathons – the Be Resorts Warrior 53K that started and ended in Mactan Island and the Summit 60K in Talisay City last Oct. 9. She also qualified for this year’s Milo Marathon National Finals. She just came back from her company’s sports fest when the shooting spree happened. Her family is reportedly from the Bicol region.

3 of 4 children killed

Elaine Grace was a nurse and volunteered for the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF). Heather Joy was a nursing graduate and worked as a medical transcriptionist . Emlin Bridge was an only son and he was studying to be a radiologic technologist. The youngest Embrelaince Therjoy Ponce, 14, is a sophomore high school student and was spared by her father. The survivor is currently staying with close relatives.

Mental problems

Initial investigation is looking at the possibility of Emmanuel Ponce having mental health issues. He retired as a seaman around 10 years ago when he suffered a serious head injury while working. According to some reports, he was even comatose when he had the injury and had a successful operation and recovery in the United States.

One of the neighbors in the subdivision is Provincial Board Member Julian “Teban” Daan. His wife, Yolanda, was one of the first ones, who responded to the emergency and took care of the lone survivor. She intimated to the media that the shooter got jealous when his wife would go home late.   But in general, he was a nice neighbor. There was also an incident when the couple fought and Emmanuel threatened Melinda with a knife.

Nobody is really sure about what triggered the brutal killings. It is important for the surviving child to be properly taken care of and undergo counseling.

caloycomment: Guns have been controversial lately. Maybe there is a need for new legislation … more

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