BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA AND MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City – A son believed to be suffering from a mental illness was shot dead by his father on Wednesday in Barangay Pandanon Silos, Murcia, Negros Occidental.
Police identified the victim as 41-year-old Joemarie Duran while the suspect was his father Sambida, 63.
According to Police Captain Jerald Muya, Murcia police chief, a bolo-wielding Joemarie allegedly threatened to kill his parents.
The father, armed with a gun, tried to pacify his son but Joemarie reportedly started swinging his bolo.
The father pulled out his .357 revolver and shot his son on the head, Muya said.
The older Duran turned himself in to the police.
In a separate statement given by the father to members of the media, he claimed he never wanted to shoot his son but was forced to do it to protect the rest of the family.
He also claimed they were harassed by Joemarie numerous times, attempted to set their truck on fire and repeatedly made threats that he would kill his elder sibling.
Sambida further added that his son started becoming mentally ill due to alcoholism.
He also revealed to the police that he was planning to have his son admitted to a mental healthcare facility this October.
Muya, meanwhile, seemed to support the father’s claim that his son was possibly mentally ill, pointing out they have repeatedly responded to the family’s house multiple times.
He said Joemarie was not only harassing his own family but also several residents in the area either by making threats or throwing stones at passing individuals or vehicles.
Police are currently waiting for the family’s decision if the criminal charge of parricide would be filed./PN
