Man lynched by neighbors dies

A 45-year-old man, who allegedly tried to rape a five-year-old girl, and was allegedly mauled by his Pasay City neighbors, died yesterday due to the injuries he sustained.

Renato dela Cruz, of Muñoz street, Tramo, Pasay City, was declared dead early yesterday at the Pasay City General Hospital. His family is solely blaming Marcos Cavatan, 36, the father of the girl, whom the victim was about to reportedly rape last Monday.

Based on the investigation of Police Officer 2 Marianito Agas, Dela Cruz was brought to the hospital by barangay tanods following his mauling at about 4 p.m.

Cavatan admitted dealing blows to the head of the victim using a steel pipe and said everyone else also did so. He said he can produce witnesses.

According to Cavatan, there were about 15 other neighbors who ganged up on Dela Cruz carrying their own sticks and steel pipes.

Cavatan said that prior to the lynching of Dela Cruz, he was roused from sleep by his daughter’s cries and found the victim with his pants pulled down. The suspect said Dela Cruz hurriedly pulled up his pants upon seeing him and fled their house.

"I caught up with him outside our house and we had a fist fight. Later, the other neighbors came and attacked him, too," said Cavatan. Police are still awaiting the result of Dela Cruz’s autopsy. – Jose Aravilla