Aunt, who reported alleged suicide, faces murder raps over death of 7-year-old in Baguio

The aunt of a seven-year-old boy who was initially reported to have taken his own life in Baguio City is now under investigation in connection with his death caused by strangulation.

According to Emil Sumangil's report on "24 Oras", the victim, Buboy, was found with bruises on his arms, legs, back, as well as neck. He was under the care of his aunt while his mother was abroad.

The aunt claimed that Buboy had committed suicide.

"Nung hawakan ko po siya at gisingin ko, 'yun po bigla kong nakita 'yung tali na nakatali sa leeg niya. Tapos 'yun po nagmadali po akong tinanggal ko, tapos nagsisigaw ako," the suspect said.

According to Police Colonel Allen Rae Co, city director of the Baguio Police Office, the aunt's alibi did not match up and was "very supicious."

"Paano po magagawa nung bata 'yun? And 'yun pong pangyayari ay nasa mababang parte ng bintana, tinali 'yung scarf na malambot po, 'yung knitted scarf, na-istretch po ito," Co said.

"[N]adatnan po nila 'yung bata na naka-upo, na nag-bigti. So this does not jive at hindi po, it's almost an impossibility to hang yourself in this way," Co added.

The aunt denied the allegations.

"Hindi ko po kayang gawin po 'yan. Itinuring ko na po siyang parang anak ko po kaya hindi ko po kayang gawin 'yun sa kanya," the suspect said.

Autopsy results showed that Buboy had died due to asphyxia by strangulation. Police authorities also pointed out that there was a pattern of abuse regarding the child.

"We conducted further 'yung investigation natin at lumabas nga na merong history of abuse dito. We have witnesses to, ano, na susumpa na ito po'y nakikita nilang inaabuso itong bata," Co said.

The aunt had also allegedly tried to take the body to Ifugao so it would not undergo autopsy. However, she failed to escape authorities.

"Pilit po nilang itinatago 'yung nangyari sa kaawa-awang batang ito. Wala rin po silang travel authority during the time na pumunta sila sa Ifugao," he said.

The sibling of the victim, meanwhile, clarified that the suspect did not try to hide the victim's body, saying that they only wished to see the body before undergoing autopsy.

The suspect is currently under quarantine.

She and her husband will face charges of murder, the violation of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, obstruction of justice, and the violatoion of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. -Joahna Lei Casilao/NB, GMA News