Family of raped, killed 1-year-old boy appeals for financial help

The family of the one-year-old boy who was allegedly raped and killed by a 28-year-old construction worker in Makati City is asking for financial support for the burial of the child.

According to the grandmother of the boy, about P36,000 is needed for the funeral services fee. She said her grandson cannot be buried unless they settled the payment.

"Humihingi po ako ng tulong [para] sa apo ko. Sana tulungan niyo ako dahil wala po kaming perang naitabi para maibigay lahat ng kailangang mabayaran sa punerarya tsaka sa sementeryo," she said.

The child's father said: "Nanawagan po ako sa mga gustong makatulong sa 'min para po malibing na 'yung anak ko. Mahirap na nga po yung dinanas niya sa suspek, nahirapan pa po siya dito."

The family is set to visit the Manila South Cemetery on Thursday to inquire for interment fees and processes.

The child’s wake is located on a sidewalk in Brgy La Paz in Makati City. Two tents were provided for free by the barangay. Relatives and neighbors of the child visited the wake on Wednesday and chipped in for the food and drinks for visitors.

The family is seeking justice for the death of their child. "Sana ganon din yun gagawin sa kanya para maranasan niya yung hirap na dinanas ng apo ko," said the grandmother of the suspect, identified as Gerald Riparip.

"Hustisya po. Gusto ko pong mamatay yung gumawa nyan sa anak ko," said the mother of the child.

"Kung pwede lang akong pumatay sa 'yo, papahirapan kitang hayop ka eh. Di makatarungan yung ginawa mo. Tao ka ba? ‘Di 'ata tao 'to," the father said.

Makati Police chief Colonel Rogelio Simon said the suspect, Gerard Riparip, is set to undergo inquest proceedings within the day. He'll be facing a complaint of rape with homicide at the City Prosecutor’s Office.

Riparip was arrested Wednesday morning after police found blood stains on his underwear.

Initial examination on the child’s body showed sperm cells were discovered inside his anus and that it was already "deteriorated." It was also discovered that the victim's body had several hematoma.

According to the victim's grandmother, Riparip was invited for the birthday party of her husband on Tuesday afternoon. He was seen in a drinking session with the victim's grandfather and others.

Riparip is a co-worker of the grandmother’s brother in a construction site. He has been living in the same room with the latter for over a week. Their room and the unit where the child lives are in the 7th floor of an abandoned building in Yakal St.

After the drinking session, Riparip and the grandmother’s brother went to their room to sleep.

At that time, the grandmother also slept with the boy beside her. But when she woke up, the boy was nowhere to be found.

They went outside the building to search for the boy but came back inside after a few hours.

Neighbors said the boy was last seen with Riparip.

The family believes the child went with Riparip after the suspect enticed the victim to buy biscuits. —KBK, GMA News