A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy from Barangay Malhiao, Badian, Cebu died of strangulation after his neck tangled in his uncle's hammock on Friday, June 7.
But the father of Def Leppard Siclajon refused to believe that his son may have accidentally strangled himself or committed suicide, prompting the police to conduct a deeper investigation on the incident.
Nerie Boy Agravante, the boy's father, said he initially received a word that his son was brought to the Badian District Hospital at 2:45 p.m. of June 7.
When he got to the hospital, Agravante was told by the doctor that Def Leppard had died just before he was brought for medical attention.
The doctor even told Agravante that the injuries found on his son suggested he committed suicide.
But Agravante and even the doctor handling Def Leppard could not believe the boy would kill himself, especially at his age.
"The doctor told me that a nine-year-old boy would commit suicide. Nor does he believe that he accidentally strangled himself as he can easily remove the rope on his own," Agravante said in Cebuano.
Agravante has his own suspicions on who was behind his son's death but he refused to divulge it due to lack of evidence.
He also questioned why the boy's uncle failed to watch out for his son.
Agravante said that ever since his son has been living with his uncle, he was never properly taken care of.
"Whenever I visit my son, his uncle rarely cares for him. Even though he is his uncle, he does not show love for him. Whenever I ask for my son, he (uncle) doesn't even show up to talk to me," Agravante said.
Agravante said he is calling for justice for his son.
He recalled that his son dreamt of wanting to be a policeman someday.
Agravante said Def Leppard particularly like actor Coco Martin's role as embattled police officer Cardo Dalisay in ABS-CBN's "Ang Probinsyano."
Separately, police officers in Badian found no signs of foul play on Def Leppard's death.
But Police Colonel Manuel Abrugena, Cebu Provincial Police Office director, has ordered the town police to conduct a deeper investigation.
Abrugena said a deeper investigation is necessary considering that Def Leppard could have easily removed the ropes from the hammock without being assisted.
He has also coordinated with the Philippine National Police's Crime Laboratory to conduct an autopsy on the boy.
Abrugena assured that the autopsy will be conducted without the need for the family to shell out money.
Initially, the family was asked P8,000 for the autopsy but Abrugena ordered that the payment be waived.
Def Leppard's family has also sought for financial assistance from the Cebu Provincial Capitol. (From AYB of Superbalita Cebu)