AUTHORITIES on Monday said that they are looking into illegal drugs as the possible motive behind the killing of at least seven people in Rodri-guez, Rizal province just past Monday midnight.

Rodriguez police chief Supt. Don Bait said that at least four men barged into a house at Lot 124, Blk. 3, Phase-1 in Brgy. San Jose, at about 1 a.m., killing couple Webb and Alma Santos, and five visitors.

Bait said that two of the suspects shot the victims while the other two allegedly served as lookouts.

The police chief said that several drug paraphernalia were found at the crime scene. He also noted that the couple had been arrested before for drug-related charges.

Bait, however, said that the suspects spared the couple’s two daughters, aged 10 and 13, who were sleeping inside their room when the shooting occurred. Initial reports reaching the Philippine National Police operation center in Camp Crame identified the other fatalities as Darmo Rivera, 20; John Michael Gardose, 18; Roberto Talagtag, 20; Joshua Tuazon, 16 and Judy Ann Severo, 16.

The Rodriguez Municipal Police office said that the victims were having a drinking spree when the suspects arrived, the reports said.

The reports also said that the suspects, armed with handguns without any warning, shot at the victims, killing them instantly before fleeing.