Suspect in boy's killing clears neighbor of blame

CEBU, Philippines - The man accused of killing his former live-in partner’s seven-year-old son in Mandaue City spared his neighbor from any participation in the crime.

During the inquest proceedings yesterday at the Mandaue City Prosecutors Office, Mario Abecia, 42, also knelt before his former lover Christine Morales to ask for forgiveness…but got a kick instead.

Abecia said his neighbor Arsenio “Junjun” Ursal had nothing to do with the crime.

Upon his arrest last Tuesday, the suspect was inconsistent in his statements and denied he killed the boy but said Ursal did it while he left the house in search of Morales and her alleged lover as he really wanted to kill them both.

Abecia said he gagged the boy with a towel and a masking tape and also bound his hands and feet then buried the boy near the comfort room of his house.

When fiscal Bienvenido Mabanto asked about Ursal’s participation in the case, in particular if Ursal brought him the masking tape and helped him bury the child, Abecia said he himself bought the masking tape after failing to convince Ursal to run an errand for him and that he already dug a hole near his comfort room prior to the incident.

Mabanto also asked Abecia if Ursal knew the boy was in his house which the suspect denied.

Police earlier charged the suspects with kidnapping and serious illegal detention in relation to Republic Act 7610 or child abuse and another separate case for murder

The two are presently detained at the Subangdaku Police Station.

After the inquest proceedings, Abecia also asked to be brought to the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City. He said he feared for his life at the Mandaue City Jail as the victim’s father is also detained there for an illegal drug case.

He even asked for contact numbers of reporters so and his family can immediately ask for help if something bad happens to him in the city jail.  (FREEMAN)