Father tagged as primary suspect in death of 3-year-old child in Ilocos Sur —PNP

Police have tagged the father as the primary suspect in the fatal stabbing of his three-year-old child in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

During a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said the child's father is being considered as a primary suspect behind the August 28 incident as authorities continue efforts to locate him.

“At around 10:30 (a.m.), sinilip noong grandmother ay kumakain pa raw ng snacks 'yung bata. At around 1:00 (p.m.), again, tinignan, nagkukuwentuhan pa sila noong father,” Co said.

(At around 10:30 [a.m.], the grandmother saw that the child was still eating snacks. At around 1:00 [p.m.], again, she saw that they were still talking.)

“At around 11 in the morning of the following day, may hinahanap 'yung grandfather. So he went inside the room. Nakita na niya nakataklob na ng kumot 'yung bata. Wala na pong buhay,” he added.

(At around 11:00 in the morning of the following day, the grandfather was looking for something. So he went inside the room and saw that the child was already covered with a blanket. He was already lifeless.)

Authorities are checking the father's possible criminal record and reports that he had previously used illegal drugs.

Police said they are also looking into the suspect's mental condition.

In a separate statement, the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office (ISPPO) strongly condemned the tragic killing of the three-year-old child.

“Concerned police units were already directed to exert all necessary efforts to locate the suspect and ensure that the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident are thoroughly investigated,” it said.

“Tagudin Municipal Police Station is pursuing all available leads and gathering evidence in accordance with established procedures,” it added. —KG, GMA News