Man who killed his niece in Tabuelan charged

CEBU, Philippines - A criminal case for murder was filed in court yesterday against the 29-year-old construction worker in Tabuelan who sliced open the stomach of his six-year-old niece and ate some of the internal organs.

Assistant provincial prosecutor Petronio Elesterio found probable cause to indict Efren Matedios, resident of Barangay Villahermosa, Tabuelan, of the crime of murder for killing Lara Mae Concoles last Monday.

The case was filed before the Regional Trial Court in Toledo City.

The members of the Tabuelan police brought Matedios to the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for inquest investigation. During inquest proceedings, Matedios told the investigating prosecutor that he was brought by “satan” when asked why he was in the prosecutor’s office.

He also reiterated his claim that he did not kill his niece but the “bad spirits.” This prompted Elesterio to ask the police to have the accused examined by a psychiatrist.

Matedios also caused a slight tension at the Palace of Justice yesterday when he refused to go with the police after the inquest. The police have to drag him out of the Palace of Justice to their service vehicle.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador said a psychiatrist will be sent to Tabuelan to examine the accused pending his commitment to the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Comendador also ordered the Tabuelan police to check on the report that the killing may have something to do with the presence of a cult in the place.

“I-check nato if ang nahitabo naa bay linkages sa kulto,” Comendador said.

A team from the provincial headquarters will be deployed to Tabuelan to assist the Tabuelan police to confirm the existence of the cult.

“Dili na tarong nga tao if ingon ana nga kan-on ang parte sa lawas sa tao,” the provincial director said.

Comendador however believes that Matedios is mentally ill. Matedios killed his niece last Monday and ate some of her internal organs. — (FREEMAN)