THE Davao City Prosecutor's Office has found probable cause to charge a couple for their alleged involvement in the murder of a three-year-old boy.
Prosecutor II Rogieliza Verallo in a resolution dated August 30, 2016 recommended the filing of formal charges against Grace Gilaga Agustin for parricide and her live-in partner Sonny Boy Rocabura Mendoza for murder of Kean Gabriel Agustin, Grace's son.
Based on the resolution, the complainants Carmelo Arana, barangay Chair of MatinaPangi, and Eustaquio Sanico alleged that on August 24, 2016 around 9 a.m., they were in the barangay office when the accused arrived and asked for medical assistance for the child, who was allegedly drowned.
The complainants called 911 but due to the weak condition of the child, they decided to rush the boy to the Southern Philippines Medical Center where the child was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.
During the inquest, older sister of the victim "Ishang," 7, narrated that she saw Mendoza place her brother into a sack and tightly tied it.
While her brother was inside the sack, Mendoza hit the sack with a piece of wood.
She later saw Mendoza untie the sack and dropped the victim on the floor.
She said she saw her brother already unconscious.
The older sister of the victim added that while it was happening, her mother only watched and did not do anything to stop the maltreatment.
The barangay staff in their separate affidavits also attested that while they administered emergency treatment on the child, they noticed bruises on the child’s back and forehead.
This led them to ask respondents what happened to the child which Mendoza replied the boy fell from the chair.
Mendoza later admitted that he placed the child in a sack.
The resolution stated that Agustin should be charged with parricide for she was present at the time of the incident and allowed her son to be maltreated by her live-in partner.
An existence of conspiracy between the two respondents was also found by the prosecutor.
The resolution also read that Mendoza should be charged with murder for the death of Kean Agustin.
The remains of Kean Agustin was buried at around 1 p.m. Thursday at the Lubogan Cemetary.