The mother of the nine-year-old boy who was allegedly mauled by high school students in Iligan City is determined to file a complaint against the suspects.

“Di pwede ang pasaylo-pasaylo ra uy kay sa ilang gibuhat, dili. Ok lang og wala nila ni (gikulata)… hapit mamatay ang akong anak… kritikal kaayo ang akong anak paghatod namo diri unya i-agi ra og pasaylo,” the victim’s mother, Genalyn Ensipido, said.

The Iligan City Police Office (ICPO) said earlier that they cannot file charges against those involved because they are minors.

However, they will seek a resolution from the City Prosecutor’s Office so the suspects can be referred to the Bahay Pag-asa center.

Authorities have identified four Grade 8 students, all 13 years old, allegedly behind the mauling.

Police are awaiting the statements of the victim so intervention for the minor suspects can proceed.

“Kung makaistorya na siya, ipa-pinpoint namo sa iya na mao ba ni nangulata nimo. Kung moingon siya, yes, then we will proceed. I-refer namo siya sa fiscal, mangayo na mi og resolution nga i-turn over sila sa Bahay Pag-asa o Dangpanan para ma-conduct-an og intervention,” ICPO Spokesperson, Zandrex Panolong, said.

Meanwhile, the victim is recovering after he woke up in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) in Cagayan de Oro City.

In a video call and photos shared by the victim’s relative, Analou Lorenzana, the boy can be seen smiling.

The intubation tube was also removed on Thursday as his condition gradually improved.

The victim had been transferred to the surgery ward.

“Ok ra ko diri kay murag na (arang-arang) na ko diri, kay naka-rekober naman gyud na uli-ulian naman gyud gamay,” Ensipido said.

Although the victim is now awake, he still cannot speak and communicates only through hand signals, as of this writing.

Because of this, Ensipido has yet to hear details of the attack directly from her son.

The victim reportedly continues to experience pain in his chest and face, where he sustained the most injuries, but his condition is stable.

“Pero hinay-hinayan nako og pakaon para (makusgan) na ni siya ba kay maluya pud ni og dili pud pakan-on di mi makauli,” Ensipido added.