NBI says Dalangin admits killing his mother during investigation

CEBU, Philippines - An agent of the National Bureau of Investigation yesterday said that the nursing student accused in the killing of his own mother had previously confessed to the crime.

NBI agent Bernard dela Cruz told the court that Christian “Lucky” Dalangin signed an “extra-judicial confession” before him when investigated over the death of his mother Rubirose Tenchavez in August 23.

The prosecution presented dela Cruz as its first witness against Dalangin after he denied committing the crime during the arraignment. Dalangin’s counsel, Leah Cruz, also denied during the pre-trial conference the existence of the extra-judicial confession of her client.

“There was an extra-judicial confession,” dela Cruz said.

Dela Cruz said that the accused executed an affidavit before the NBI office when he was investigated on the death of his mother.

“Yes, I testified before the court to prove that there was an admission made by Dalangin during his interrogation in our Office and even put it on writing,” Dela Cruz said.

“We can prove that he did execute a confession with the presence of his auntie and lawyer from Public Attorney’s Office voluntarily,” he added.

According to dela Cruz, Dalangin tried to deny the crime during interrogation but later broke into tears and confessed.

Dela Cruz said Dalangin admitted that he slit the throat of his mother twice with the use of a knife and buried her in the storage room of their house. Following Dalangin’s confession, dela Cruz said they asked the suspect if he was willing to execute an affidavit.

“We did not force him to tell but he voluntarily did,” dela Cruz said.

Dalangin’s confession was also used by the NBI as basis in the application for search warrant to retrieve the victim’s body. (FREEMAN)