BACOLOD City – A pedicab driver who claimed to be using illegal drugs was a suspect in the fatal stabbing of his 6-year-old nephew in their house in Purok Sigay, Barangay Singcang-Airport on All Souls’ Day.
Arnel Antonio was arrested in a nearby neighborhood and detained at Police Station 8.
A report from Police Station 8 identified the victim only as “Nonoy.” He sustained at least 22 stab wounds.
The suspect used a buckle knife during the attack at around midnight on Nov. 2. He was caught at around 4 a.m. the following day, the police report stated.
In interviews with various radio stations while in detention, Antonio admitted using illegal drugs the day before and being unable to sleep.
He claimed that he thought he was dreaming and realized only later that it was his nephew he was stabbing.
As of this writing the police were still trying to determine the age of the suspect.
They said they were having difficulty questioning him for being incoherent.
A sister of the suspect, Cherilyn Salgado, said in a radio interview that the boy and Antonio were staying in a house next to theirs.
Salgado said she was awakened by a cry at around midnight that Friday.
She went to the other house and saw her brother stabbing their nephew, Salgado added. Antonio fled but police arrested him hours later.
The victim’s father Rene, who was working in Cebu, returned home upon learning about the incident.
Rene, an elder brother of the suspect, was separated from his wife, who was based in Metro Manila.
In another radio interview Barangay Captain Rosinie Distrito – citing barangay records – said Antonio has not been involved in any illegal activity and was not in their list of illegal drug users.
But Antonio must still be charged and jailed, Distrito said, stressing that the suspect confessed to using illegal drugs.
The barangay will shoulder the expenses for the burial of the victim, the village chief said. (With Philippine News Agency/PN)
