Police have opened an investigation into the killing of goats in the southern town of Tigbauan in Iloilo Province.

Ramjusraf Grasparil, a resident of Barangay Cordova Sur in Tigbauan, woke up one morning to news from his father that the goats they were taking care of were killed.

“Maaga akong ginising ng ama ko, mga ala-sais kasi parang hindi ma-drawing ang pagmumukha niya. Sabi niya, ang iyong mga kambing, nakahandusay at pinagsasaksak. Agad akong pumunta sa lugar. Pagtingin ko sa bakod, nakahandusay sila,” he said.

At least four of the goats, all pregnant, were killed while four others were injured.

Authorities said the goats may have been stabbed in the neck with an ice pick and hit by a blunt object.

Grasparil said they have identified persons of interest.

“Ang aming pamilya meron nang suspek na either nag-utos sa iilan na gutom rin. Inutusan nilang gumasa ng masama,” he said.

The Tigbauan Police continue to investigate the incident, as of this writing.

Animal rights group ASPIN described the incident as animal cruelty and urged the owners of the goats and the police to file charges.

“Maari itong sampahan ng kaso kasi unacceptable ang ginawa niya. Kumbaga nagawa nga niya ito sa hayop, so hindi malayong na posibleng ang mga taong may gationg uri ng pag-iisip, maaaring sa tao na nila ito gagawin sa susunod,” said Kai Evangelista, admin head of ASPIN Iloilo.