6-year-old links stepfather to mom’s ‘suicide’ in Cebu

Police arrested a 52-year-old man in Cebu City Monday for the "suicide" of his 30-year-old former live-in partner, after his six-year-old stepson linked him to the death.

The boy told police he saw Romeo Castro kill his mother Scarlet Debalucos then made it look like she hanged herself, GMA Cebu's Chona Carreon reported Tuesday.



"According sa bata, nakita niya ang pangyayari na tinali ang kanyang ina, so ngayon kailangan nating i-go deeper [ang investigation] dahil baka may prior abuses na nangyari," said Cebu City police Women and Children Protection Desk head Inspector Arieza Otida.

But Castro denied the allegations. "Hindi ako kriminal, hindi pa iyan nangyayari sa buhay ko," he said.

Otida added the child will undergo stress debriefing, adding their initial investigation showed it was impossible for Debalucos to kill herself.

An investigation showed the incident occurred at the victim's house at A. Lopez Street in Labangon, Cebu City on Sunday.

Debalucos' body was found hanging in her house, suggesting she took her own life.

But her son told police he saw his mother beaten up by Castro, who then allegedly placed a piece of rope around her neck and hanged her by a beam.

The victim's aunt "Elsie" also told police Castro and Debalucos would argue frequently during their one year together.

She added Castro would allegedly stalk the victim.

"Dati na silang nag-aaway nung una silang naglive-in for one year. Bago lang silang naghiwalay tapos ang lalaki... hindi matanggap, palagi pa ring bumubuntot sa pamangkin ko," she said.

But Castro denied the allegations, although he admitted he and Debalucos had a relationship for two years. Debalucos has three children.

Castro said he and Debalucos met last Saturday because Debalucos was asking for money.

He added Debalucos had threatened to kill herself if they were to separate.

"Hindi kami nag-away, parati siyang nagseselos sa akin," he told GMA News when asked if they had argued before. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News