Man who beheaded 9-year-old in Bulacan arrested

Philippine Army operatives arrested over the weekend a man who beheaded a nine-year-old boy in Hagonoy town in Bulacan province.

The suspect identified as Ernesto Santos tried to escape but was caught near Manila Bay, according to a report on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" on Sunday.



A witness saw the suspect throwing the boy's body overboard at 3 a.m. Saturday, and saw the suspect wiping blood from his banca.

The boy's father became emotional when he saw the suspect.

Before the beheading incident, the father left the victim at home so he could go fishing. When he returned, he saw the boy's headless body floating in the river.

Meanwhile, Santos told police where he threw the boy's head, which was recovered Sunday morning.

Police are determining the motive behind the killing. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News