Teen, 2 others set boy on fire

MANILA, Philippines – A 19-year-old man and two boys were arrested Monday for setting a 12-year-old boy on fire in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City.

Wilfren Buyoc and his companions, aged 12 and 13, accosted the victim as he was walking along Dr. A. Santos Avenue at around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said Senior Superintendent Ariel Andrade, city police chief. Buyoc and his 12-year-old companion are out-of-school youths.

“They tied up the victim and stuffed a sock in his mouth before covering him with dried leaves and cartons and setting him on fire,” Andrade said yesterday.

Barangay officials found the victim, who had been beaten before being set on fire, crying and lying on the street, he said.

“The victim is still in state of shock. We have not yet interviewed him. He is being treated for third-degree burns at the Philippine General Hospital,” Andrade said.

The victim was still unable to speak as of yesterday.

Andrade said the two minors were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Bahay Pag-asa while Buyoc, who is being held at the Parañaque police station, will face criminal charges. He may be charged with arson with frustrated murder.

Police believe the attack is linked to local gang wars.

Buyoc, identified by GMA 7 in its report as Wilfren Azaña, said members of the victim’s gang, armed with knives and empty bottles, chased off members of his gang a week ago. He showed wounds he suffered as a result of the encounter.

He said he avenged himself on the victim by tying him up and beating him. He then threw rocks at the victim as he used a lighter to set the boy on fire.

Buyoc said he wanted the victim to die to atone for their offenses against him and his gang.

His mother, Ma. Erlinda, was shocked by her son’s statements. She said she tried to guide her son, but when he found out about what he did, she told him, “Kasalanan mo iyan, pagdusahan mo iyan (That’s your sin, suffer for it).”