By CESAR JOLITO III
The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has ordered a thorough and impartial investigation into an alleged mauling incident involving three minor siblings in Negros Occidental’s Silay City that left one child dead.
Authorities said a nine-year-old girl was found lifeless, while a 14-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy were both injured inside their room at Hacienda Badiang in Barangay E. Lopez at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 7.
The Bornales siblings sustained serious head injuries and bruises, police said.
PRO-NIR Regional Director Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay directed concerned police units to pursue all possible leads, stressing that the case must be handled with utmost care and objectivity given that the victims are minors.
“The investigation must be thorough, objective and evidence-based. We will ensure that justice is served,” Ibay said.
The police official also extended condolences to the family, particularly over the death of one of the children, and assured them of the police’s commitment to uncover the truth behind the incident.
Police said follow-up investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and to identify and arrest those responsible.
Silay police chief Lt. Colonel Edison Garcia said the siblings, already bearing injuries, were found inside their room by their father when he arrived home before noon.
The nine-year-old girl was declared dead at the scene.
The two others were rushed to the Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, where they remain in critical condition as of this writing.
Police recovered a stone from the crime scene, which is being considered a possible weapon.
Garcia said the children were usually left alone at home, as their mother works overseas as an overseas Filipino worker, while their father is locally employed.
Neighbors reportedly heard shouting late Friday night, February 6, but did not investigate further due to heavy rainfall at the time.
While the motive behind the attack has yet to be established, investigators said they already have a person of interest but have not released further details.
The suspect remains unidentified, and authorities are appealing to the public for information that could help in the investigation.
Bounty
Authorities and local officials have intensified efforts to bring justice to the victims of a brutal attack on three siblings, with cash rewards now totaling P75,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspects.
Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego earlier announced a P25,000 reward for anyone who can provide credible information that would help identify and apprehend the person responsible for the crime.
Gallego expressed deep grief over the incident, stressing that the city government is committed to ensuring justice for the victims and their family.
He called on the public to cooperate with authorities and share any information related to the case.
Adding to the call for justice, Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Javier “Javi” Miguel Benitez condemned the attack and announced an additional P50,000 reward through his official Facebook page.
“Ginakondena ko ang natabo sa mag-utod. May P50,000 nga padya para sa makahatag sang impormasyon nga magatudlo sa mga responsable. Magkontak sa akon,” Benitez said./CJ, WDJ