No visit for boy accused of killing mother, stepsister

CEBU, Philippines - The pain has eased slowly but the stepfather of the 16-year-old boy who killed his pregnant mother and five-year-old sister said he would not want the boy to visit his wife and daughter’s grave this All Souls Day.

Raul Bantilan said he might not be able to control himself if he sees his stepson.

“Dili nako kaya magsud-ong niya… if dili siya ang gapatay, siya ang nahimong paagi nga mamatay sila,” Bantilan said.

Bantilan disclosed that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) did not allow him to see the boy when he visited him once primarily because he is the complainant in the case against the boy.

“Dili kuno ko pwede makigkita niya kay ako may complainant sa kaso,” he said.

The boy allegedly killed his mother and half-sister evening on September 9 inside their house in Barangay Ina-yagan, Naga City.

His mother, eight months pregnant at that time, succumbed to a gunshot wound and multiple stab wounds while the girl bore stab wounds on her back.

Bantilan said all he could do now is offer his family prayers. A rosary will be said at the cemetery in Naga on All Souls’ Day while a mass is yet to be scheduled. He said he and his wife’s relatives will stay at cemetery today and tomorrow.

“Ako silang guwardiyahan kay dili man ta kalimot nila nga gikuha na sa Ginoo,” he said.

Bantilan said he chose pink as color of his family’s burial chamber because the three who died were all female.

“Pink akong gipintal tanan kay babaye man silang tulo,” he said. 

Last Saturday was supposed to be his wife’s 38th birthday and a small celebration made him remember the time they were planning for their daughter’s supposed christening and how they would celebrate Christmas.

Bantilan said he could not help but shed tears each time he scans through their family’s photo albums. In fact, he decided to keep a picture of his family in his wallet.

“Buhi sila sa akong huna-huna labi na makit-an nako ilang smile maong kanunay ko magdala sa ilang litrato sa akong pitaka,” he said. — (FREEMAN)