VIGAN CITY—Newly installed Ilocos region police director Superintendent Romeo C. Hilomen has ordered the immediate filing of a criminal complaint against the suspect in the massacre of a family last Tuesday in sitio Saway, Manalpac, Solsona, Ilocos Norte.

The suspect identified as Valdez Lagisag Bago, 49, married and resident of barangay Maan-anteng, Solsona, shot the victims with a 12-gauge shotgun.

The victims were making charcoal in a makeshift nipa hut in a mountainous area in sitio Saway at the time.

Hilomen identified the victims as Quezon Mata, 59; his son Rene Mata, 12; and his nephew Jojet Balaybay 17, all of sitio Bliss, barangay Manalpac, Solsona Town.

The injured was identified as Jessie Mata, 16, who sustained gunshot wound on his left arm while Dondon Pagmaat. 5, was unscathed.

Mata and Pagmaat reported the matter to the police, Hilomen said.

The incident happened at 11 a.m. on Tuesday while the victims were preparing lunch in their makeshift hut.

The police recovered three spent shells of a 12-gauge shotgun. The suspect voluntarily surrendered to the operatives but without the weapon used.

Motive for the incident was still being ascertained by the police at presstime. (PNA)