Chocolates, prayers for dead wife, kids

CEBU, Philippines - As he says his final goodbyes, Raul Bantilan, chose chocolate bars and prayers as his send-off gifts for his wife and daughter who will be buried tomorrow.

He is the husband of the pregnant woman and father of the 5-year-old girl who were killed by his 16-year-old stepson in Barangay Naalad, Naga City.

A native of Ozamis City, Raul who just arrived Saturday morning from his trip abroad told The FREEMAN that Garoto chocolate bars from Brazil made him remember how his daughter spoke to him over the phone asking for the chocolates.

“Mao na iyang pamarayeg nako sukad atong nakatilaw siya sa akong gipadala sa akong kauban nga niuli,” he said.

Raul added that prayers would also help him face what lies ahead in both the case and his life.

“Akong pag-ampo para nila pero sakit, dili ko katuo nga namatay,” he said.

His wife and daughter were allegedly killed by his 16-year-old stepson inside their house. Both were repeatedly stabbed with a knife and hit with a .357 revolver.

A case for special complex crime of robbery with homicide was already filed at the Naga City Prosecutor’s Office against the suspect and his cohort Bryant Pansoy, 19, of Barangay Tinaan.

Raul, a seaman, admitted not being close with the suspect but said he gave him presents when he arrived from his trips abroad.

He said that ever since he stayed in Barangay Naa-lad, he did not have any conflict with the suspect.

As of now, Raul still could not believe that it is his stepson who killed his pregnant wife and their two daughters, the 5-year-old and the eight-month-old inside Virgindina’s womb.

When asked if he blames his stepson for what happened, he only replied that he would meet and talk to him after the burial.

The victims will be laid to rest tomorrow afternoon at the Barangay Poblacion West public cemetery after the requiem mass at 2:00 in the afternoon at the Naga Parish Church. — (FREEMAN)