“Dead boy” turns up alive and well

CEBU, Philippines - A 13-year-old boy who was allegedly stabbed and beaten to death by his father —at least according to his siblings— has turned up alive and well in Barangay Camp 4, Talisay City.

Warren Labitad went to the Talisay City Police Station yesterday at around 4:00 p.m. together with his uncle Teody Labitad.

It turns out Warren was only staying with another uncle, Ramon Cabiles, in Asturias town. Ramon is the elder brother of the boy’s mother and the suspect’s live-in partner Angelina Cabiles.

The father of the boy, Reynaldo Labitad, was arrested last Wednesday afternoon after two of his children with Cabiles, aged nine and 11, said they saw him stab and beat their elder brother dead before stuffing his body into a sack and taking the sack to a hill.

Cabiles and their children were assisted by the police in filing two counts of violation of Republic Act 7610 or child abuse and frustrated murder against Reynaldo before the city prosecutor’s office after Cabiles also alleged that Reynaldo threatened her with a bolo.

Reynaldo has denied all the allegations against him.

After receiving the report from the children, the police and the barangay officials searched for the sack allegedly containing the body but only found a few rocks with bloodstains.

Superintendent Elmer Lim, officer-in-charge of Talisay City Police Station said the police are waiting for the result of the examination on the rocks for record purposes.

Meanwhile, Talisay City Prosecutor Marshal Rubia said that the parricide case was not filed against Reynaldo but he will also not be released from jail until he can post bail for two counts of child abuse and frustrated homicide.

Angelina and her two children are now under custody of the DSWD. Talisay City social welfare officer Felipa Solana said that the two children are scheduled to undergo psychological evaluation next week.

Solana added that the children were consistent in their statements during questioning.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)