Jeepney driver butchers 3 children in Manila after spat with wife

A distraught jeepney driver stabbed to death his three children in Manila then tried to kill himself before dawn Tuesday after his wife refused to come home.

The children, two boys and a girl aged 5, 9, and 14 years old, sustained multiple wounds. The father, Rolando Reformato Jr., 33,  a jeepney driver, stabbed himself in the chest but survived. He was rushed to the Philippine General Hospital, a report over radio dzMM said.

According to the mother, Angeli, 33, she received a message from Rolando before 1 a.m. Tuesday morning saying that if she did not talk to him, he would take the children to where he was going.

She rushed  to their house at the corner of Dapitan and San Diego Streets in Manila but Rolando did not let her in. She then sought the help of barangay (village) officials.

When they opened the house, they found the 14-year-old boy and the 5-year-old girl dead. The 9-year-old boy was still alive and was rushed to the hospital but was dead on arrival.

Probers found a suicide note which Rolando wrote in his own blood.

Angeli said she left the house on August 21, 2015, after a drunken Rolando beat her up during an argument. She said that Rolando hurt her physically whenever they fought.

She said she left her two sons with Rolando because they were studying. Her 5-year-old daughter stayed with her.

But, last Friday, Angeli said Rolando texted her that he missed his daughter and wished to see her. She granted his wish and brought the daughter.

She again left and never thought her children would all be killed.

Angeli said that she had a gut feeling early in the morning because the husband texted his sister Monday afternoon saying if Angeli would ignore talking to him, he would take his children with him to the next life.

Authorities are investigating if the suspect was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Risnie