By CESAR JOLITO III
Investigators have identified two persons of interest in the brutal attack that killed a nine-year-old girl and seriously injured her two siblings inside their home at Barangay E. Lopez in Negros Occidental’s Talisay City.
Police said the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) handling the case is now focusing on the two individuals as inquiries intensify into the assault that left the children bloodied inside their residence on February 7.
Lt. Colonel Joem Malong, Police Regional Office in Negros Island Region spokesperson, said authorities are exercising caution in releasing details, noting that information surrounding the two persons of interest is crucial to the case.
“We are withholding specific details at this time as they are critical to the progress of our investigation. Our team is patiently awaiting the opportunity to speak with one of the victims to get her account of the incident,” Malong said.
“The body of the nine-year-old girl underwent an autopsy. Vaginal swabs were also taken on her and her elder sister to determine if there is sexual abuse,” she added.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has created SITG to fast-track the investigation into the brutal attack.
NOCPPO Director Police Colonel Dennis Wenceslao was designated as SITG commander, operating under the supervision of Deputy Regional Director for Operations Police Colonel Lito Patay.
Wenceslao said the formation of the task group underscores the police’s commitment to swiftly identify and arrest those responsible.
“Rest assured, we will resolve this case,” he said.
Investigators said initial findings suggest the attackers may have been known to the children, a lead now being closely examined as part of the ongoing probe.
Rocks believed to have been used as weapons were recovered at the scene, indicating the victims were struck on the head.
The nine-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the hospital on February 8, while her four-year-old brother has been in a stable condition.
Her 14-year-old sister underwent emergency surgery for head injuries and remains confined in the intensive care unit, still unable to give a statement to investigators.
Mother returns home to see children
Meanwhile, the children’s mother, an overseas Filipino worker based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was flown back to the Philippines with the assistance of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and arrived in Silay City on Monday, February 9.
Atty. Patricia Yvonne Caunan, who accompanied the mother, said immediate arrangements were made to reunite her with her children.
“After landing in Manila, we ensured she was transported directly to Silay City to be with her children,” Caunan said.
OWWA in Western Visayas Director Rizza Joy Moldes said the mother prioritized returning home to personally attend to her children’s condition.
“Her top priority was to see her two surviving children and personally monitor their recovery,” Moldes said.
‘Surrender now’
Meanwhile, Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego called on the suspect in the siblings’ mauling to surrender.
“Surrender now. You cannot keep whatever crime you have committed,” Gallego said, expressing grief over the incident, describing it as a tragedy that has shaken the community.
The mayor said the perpetrator would not escape accountability for the crime.
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.
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 P100,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspects./CJ, WDJ