5-year-old boy in critical state due to deep slashes after attack

Police have recommended the filing of charges of frustrated murder and child abuse against a suspect who allegedly inflicted deep slashes on a five-year-old boy in Navotas City earlier this week.

The victim was found profusely bleeding near the NLEX ramp of R10 Sitio Puting Bato in Barangay NBBS Proper on March 31 at 5:45 p.m.

CCTV footage obtained by the Navotas City Police showed the suspect with the victim and the victim’s two cousins, also minors.

“Hindi na nakita doon sa CCTV kung saan sila dumiretso pero palabas sila doon sa area kung saan nakita ‘yung bata natin,” said Police Colonel Renante Pinuela, chief of police of Navotas City, in an interview.

(The CCTV did not capture where they went, but they were exiting the area where the child was found.)

CCTV footage showing the five-year-old victim in red with the suspect. (Photo from Navotas City Police)

The victim was brought to the Tondo Medical Center and was found to have lacerations in the stomach and neck, and a hematoma over the left eye, Pinuela said.

Police investigators also went to the area where the child was found and recovered broken glass. They also found bloodstains and clothes, which were submitted to the crime laboratory for examination.

“Hindi natin alam kung suspect o kaninong mga damit ‘yon. So we’re checking kung kaninong dugo ‘yung mga nandoon sa mga evidence na ating nakuha,” Pinuela said.

(We don’t know if the clothes belong to the suspect or whoever. So we’re checking whose blood was there.)

At the hospital, the victim, in the presence of his mother, was shown a photo of the suspect three times. The child thrice confirmed that the man in the photo was the one who hurt him.

The suspect was also positively identified by the victim’s two minor-aged companions. The suspect is now in police custody.

Asked about the suspect’s motive, Pinuela said: “Hindi namin makuha nang maayos kasi ‘yung suspek natin, hindi siya malinaw ‘yung sagot niya. Parang dina-divert niya.”

(We can’t get anything out of him because the suspect is vague in his answers. He keeps on diverting.)

The boy's father says it is a miracle if his son will survive his injuries. He adds that they will pursue charges against his son's attacker. (Photo by Tina Panganiban-Perez, GMA News)

The victim’s father said they were supposed to bring their son, their only child, to a fastfood restaurant that day. He was at work when he received a call from his wife, telling him to rush to the hospital.

“Nakita ko yung anak ko. ‘Di ko na makilala kasi basag daw ‘yung mukha. ‘Di na makadilat yung isang mata. Pati ‘yung ulo. Parang demonyo yung gumawa talaga eh,” the victim’s father said.

(I saw my child, I barely recognized him because his face was smashed. He can’t open one eye. It’s like a demon did it.)

“’Di ko akalain. Akala ko simpleng kalaro lang. Nadurog talaga ako,” he added.

(I never thought it would happen, I thought he was just with a playmate. I was crushed.)

The father said his son will have to undergo several surgical procedures. The boy, he said, is in critical condition and is missing his intestines.

The father said it would be a miracle if his son survives his injuries.

“Gusto ko siyang yakapin. ‘Di ko magawa. Nasabi ko lang, ‘Nak, lakasan mo ang loob mo. Mahal na mahal kita.’ ‘Yung anak ko, gustong tanggalin ‘yung nasa bibig niya. Gustong sabihin na mahal niya rin ako,” the father tearfully recollected.

(I wanted to hug him but I couldn’t. I said, ‘Son, be brave, I love you.’ My son wanted to remove the thing from his mouth. He wanted to say that he loves me too.)

The father said he is determined to pursue charges against the suspect.

“Iaareglo ko pa ba ‘yon? Ganoon ang ginawa niya sa anak ko. Ginawa niyang hayop. ‘Di kami papaareglo,” he said.