The man who surrendered to authorities and admitted to killing seven of his fellow bakery workers in Brgy. Cupang, Antipolo City, claimed he acted preemptively to thwart an alleged plot to kill him.
According to the suspect, the victims, including two minors, had supposedly planned to suffocate him with a pillow and pass it off as a natural death before his wife arrived.
He alleged that one of the victims was the master baker and his business partner, who he claimed wanted to take sole control of their bakery business.
The suspect further claimed to have overheard a conversation between the master baker and another worker detailing the plan to murder him.
He said the other workers were all related to the master baker, making him feel isolated and convinced no one would take his side, prompting him to strike first.
On the night of the attack, he reportedly offered drinks to the group for his birthday, but grew suspicious that they would kill him once he was drunk.
After the drinking session, he allegedly carried out the stabbings, saying he was attacked first, but only he had a knife and struck at anyone who came close in the dark.
He ultimately decided to surrender, saying he had nowhere else to go and knew the authorities would eventually catch him.