BACOLOD City — A 13-year-old boy died after he was allegedly attacked by a drunken man during a vigil in Barangay Paitan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, police said.
The victim, a resident of Sitio Proper in the said barangay, succumbed to his injuries early morning on May 27 while being treated at the Vicente Gustilo District Hospital.
Police identified the suspect only by his alias “Toto,” 29, single, and also a resident of Sitio Proper.
According to the Escalante City Police Station (CPS), the victim’s mother reported the incident to authorities at around 10:50 a.m. on May 27.
Investigation revealed that the victim was seated at a vigil in a neighbor’s house at around 9 p.m. on May 26 when the suspect, who was allegedly intoxicated, suddenly approached and struck the boy at the back of the head with an empty bottle of Red Horse beer without apparent provocation.
The victim sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Vicente Gustilo District Hospital at around 11 p.m. However, he was declared dead by the attending physician at around 7 a.m. the following day.
The suspect immediately fled after the incident, prompting police to launch a follow-up investigation and pursuit operation.
At around 11:10 a.m. on May 27, authorities arrested the suspect in Sitio Nangka, Barangay Jonobjonob, Escalante City.
Police are now preparing the necessary documents for the filing of appropriate charges against the suspect./PN
