Suspect in brutal slay of 7-yr-old boy arrested

Koronadal City — Finally, the man who allegedly stabbed to death a seven-year old by in Malungon, Sarangani was arrested by authorities after several months of hiding.

The suspect, identified as Richard Quillana, 18 years old, and a resident of Barangay Malandag of said town, was arrested by operatives of the Sarangani Police Mobile Group (SPMG), Police Regional Mobile Group (PRMG) and Malungon police in a remote part of Barangay Malandag in Malungon past 2 p.m. over the weekend.

Sarangani police director Senior Superintendent Efren Valeriano said Quillana did not resist arrest when his lair was raided by the arresting team, led by Chief Inspector Melchor Provido, the Malungon police chief, and Chief Inspector Rolly Octavio.

Quillana was charged for the death of Opic Silayan, 7, a resident of Barangay Kiblat of said municipality.

The boy’s body was found on May 13, in the remote area of Barangay Kiblat by the residents there. He was reported missing since May 8.

Valeriano said the boy was brutally murdered, citing the various stab wounds found on different parts of his body.

"Pinagtutusok ng matulis na kawayan hanggang mamatay yung bata. Nabubulok na yung katawan ng bata ng makita," Valeriano told The STAR yesterday in a long distance interview.

Witnesses tagged the suspect as responsible for the death of the victim. But when the suspect learned that a murder case was filed against him at the Malungon trial court, he fled to Cotabato City.

After several months, he went back to Malungon where he was arrested by Provido’s group last Friday.

Quillana, however, vehemently denied the accusation against him, according to Provido when they interrogated him.

The suspect was immediately locked up in the Sarangani provincial jail based on a commitment order issued by the court.

The victim’s family lauded the Malungon police station and the Sarangani provincial police office for the efforts they exerted that led to the arrest of the suspect.