AN argument between an intoxicated father and son led to the stabbing to death of the son on Feb. 26, 2020 in Purok Dame de Noche, Barangay Looc, Lapu-Lapu City.
The victim was identifed as Christian Jay Gonzaga, 16, while the suspect was identified as his own father Carias Gonzaga, 42.
Lucy Gonzaga, the mother of the victim and wife of the suspect, said the two had an argument that dawn when they got home drunk and she was surprised when there was a commotion after their argument.
She said her son told his father to sleep as he was already drunk but the father just asked his son who between them was drunk.
The son again admonished his father to sleep to which the elder simply said in Cebuano, “Son, I can kill my own child.”
According to the mother, the son answered, “I’m your child, so kill me then.”
After that there was a commotion and Lucy thought her husband merely punched their son but she was surprised when he got stabbed. Lucy also said their son didn’t cry out when he got stabbed and she only realized her husband was using a knife when her son collapsed the third time he got hit.
Their in-laws quickly stepped in and hit the suspect with a hollow block to stop him. They also rushed the victim to the hospital but he was declared dead on arrival.
“I thought he was just punching him. That’s why I tried to push him away and told him, ‘You’re crazy. It’s your son you are beating.’ It was only later when I realized he was using a knife,” said Lucy.
Because of the incident, Lucy said she is pushing through with filing a case of parricide case against her husband.
Carias, for his part, said his son held on to his neck while they were arguing, which led him to stab him. He also said his son usually talked back at him and had also punched him in the past.
While he admitted he was intoxicated, he denied taking drugs prior to the incident.
“I got insulted. I regret doing it but it seemed I wasn’t myself. Of all my children. It’s only he who would defy me,” Carias said in Cebuano.
He said he will just answer the charges should his wife pursue a case.
On the other hand, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan assured the family that he will give the family a free casket since Lucy asked for his help.
Lucy sells fried chicken for a living. (GCM / ML)