AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy died after he was allegedly strangled to death by his cousin, who is reportedly suffering from mental illness in Bago City Tuesday, December 17.
Police records showed the victim, whose name was withheld, was playing with his 28-year-old cousin in a hammock when the latter allegedly strangled the victim using a rope.
Police Major John Joel Batusbatusan, city police chief, said the male suspect brought the victim to his mother and told the latter that the child became unconscious after he got strangled alone in a hammock while he was playing.
Batusbatusan, however, said based on the medical examination, the markings found on the victim’s neck was due to rope strangulation.
According to their neighbors, they noticed that the suspect started to be ill last week. He even chased his mother with a bladed weapon.
His family, though, could not confirm if indeed he is suffering from mental illness, the city police chief added.
Authorities arrested the suspect at their house in a pursuit operation.
“He (suspect) had inconsistent statements during the investigation procedure,” Batusbatusan also said.
He will be facing homicide charges in relation to violation of Republic Act 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”