Teen in Cebu who killed 5-year old sibling to undergo psycho-social intervention

The 14-year old teen who allegedly killed his five-year old half-brother in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu will not be charged with a crime but will instead undergo psycho-social intervention.

According to a GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak report on 24 Oras, the teenager will not be charged with a crime due to his young age but will instead undergo psycho-social intervention conducted by the CIty Social Welfare and Development (CSWD).

The teenager is currently in the custody of the Homecare for Children in Lapu-Lapu City.

Based on a statement from another sibling, the older child struck the five-year old victim on the head before drowning him in the sea.

As a minor, the teenager could not be detained with other crime suspects. Authorities said they will also study his case.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Christian Torres, said they are currently waiting for the evaluation from the CSWD before deciding on their next course of action and will also take into consideration the age of the individual.

Buena Fe Remocaldo, head of the Homecare for Children in Cebuano said,  “He is 14 years old. He cannot be charged with a criminal case under  Republic Act 9344. Instead he will undergo an intervention program in their facility.

Part of the intervention is a mental health consultation. The teenager reportedly physically struck his mother and tied down one of his younger siblings.

The teenager also bore bite marks in various parts of his body, allegedly inflicted by his mother who allegedly also physically struck her son.

“Meaning nasa level na abused ang bata, kaya tumatak ito sa kanyang pag-iisip, hindi siya makapaghigante sa kanyang stepfather kaya ayon sa kanya ibinaling niya ito sa kanyang kapatid,” Remocaldo said.

(The child is on the level of being abused, that’s why in his mind, he could not strike back at his stepfather so according to him he went after his sibling.)

“Hindi nabigyan ng pansin ng mga magulang. Kung sa tingin nila biyolente na ang bata dapat lumapit sila sa barangay or any psychologist na mag-intervene kasi biyolente na ang bata. Hindi sana nag-antay na ganito ang nangyari,” Torres added.

(His parents neglected him. If they thought the child was violent they should have asked help from the barangay or a psychologist to intervene to address the violence. They should not have waited for something like this to happen.)—RF, GMA Integrated News