Morbid Facebook posts end in murder of Bukidnon school principal

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – A retired firefighter from Malaybalay City in Bukidnon posted a series of cryptic messages on his Facebook page before killing his wife, on Tuesday, May 24.

Arnold Tenorio shot to death his wife Florina, a high school principal, at the Casisang High School in Malaybalay City where she was overseeing operations in preparation for the school opening. 

Weeks before the incident, Tenorio posted cryptic messages on Facebook. 

On May 6, he posted “I will keep one bullet for myself.” A week later, on May 13, he posted: “Hindi lang kalamnan ko ang nanginginig, pati kaluluwa ko, nangangatal na! Patnubayan nawa ako ng Poong May Likha! (My body and my soul are trembling! May the Lord guide me!)”

He also posted a photo with this message: “Three stages of life: 1. Birth 2. What the hell is going on? 3. Death.”

On May 15,  he posted: “People like me don’t get happy endings. – Depressionkills”

The following day, he posted a photo with the message: “I hate myself. True. I often think of death. True. Suicide is a reasonable option.” It received 3 likes but no comments.

None of the posts received immediate comments or show of concern from his Facebook friends.

‘The end’

On May 17, he posted this message:

It finally elicited some responses, mostly poking fun at him, apparently taking his post as a joke. When someone asked what the “drama” was all about, Tenorio replied, “Papansin lang, tiya, hehehe (Just trying to get attention, auntie).”

At 11:22 am on May 24, he posted,  “MY APOLOGIES TO ALL!… DILI NA NKO KAYA ( I can’t take it anymore), MY GOD, PLEASE FORGIVE US SINNERS.”

This was when comments mostly of concern started to pour in. At that time,  Arnold had shot his wife in cold blood.

At 11:23 am, he posted:

Stand-off

“Initial investigation revealed that the couple has been arguing often due to suspect’s drug problem,” Philippine National Police-10 (PNP-10) spokesperson Superintendent Surki Sereñas, quoting a police spot report, said in a text message.

According to Malaybalay Police Chief Superintent Henry Dampal, Tenorio shot his wife with a .45 caliber firearm.

Florina was brought to the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Shortly after killing his wife, Tenorio fled to their home in Azura Subdivision and had a standoff with the police.

Dampal said the suspect even fired 3 shots while inside the house and was heard saying he would not surrender and would even shoot back, if necessary.

During the standoff, Arnold even managed to post on Facebook: “MANDAMAY PA UNTA KO PERO DILI NAKO KAYA ( I would have shot others, but I cannot do it anymore).”

The standoff lasted for 4 hours. “We did not enter the house right away as requested by his children and relatives,” Dampal said.

A relative, Dampal added, entered the Tenorios’ residence and tried to reason with the suspect. 

While the unnamed relative talked to Tenorio, law enforcers got a chance to subdue and handcuff Tenorio. – Rappler.com