CEBU, Philippines - A 32-year-old man was arrested for allegedly maltreating his eight-year-old son in Barangay Daan-Lungsod, Alcoy town, last Friday.
The man was taken in after police found several bruises in his son’s arms and legs.
PO3 Junalyn Entrina of Alcoy Police Station’s Women and Children Protection’s Desk said that the boy was brought to a hospital and is now in stable condition.
Entrina said this is not the first time the boy was maltreated by his father. Last Tuesday, the boy received another beating from his father who was reportedly drunk.
The boy told policemen that his father suddenly struck him with a coconut frond repeatedly even if he did nothing wrong. He said it seems that the suspect turns his ire on him whenever he is mad.
The boy has been living with his father after his mother left them to move to Manila.
Entrina revealed that the man also reportedly hurt his wife, which led to their breakup. One time he allegedly poured vegetable soup on her when he did not like the taste of the dish.
The town’s municipal social welfare and development officer Elizabeth Bañares sought the assistance of police last Wednesday after she received information that the boy was beaten again. Police visited the victim in his school and took pictures of his bruises to serve as evidence in their case.
The boy’s grandmother, who lives with them, told police that her son becomes uncontrollable when intoxicated. She would scold him but the suspect would not listen.
The suspect previously promised authorities that he will no longer hurt his son, but to no avail.
A complaint for violating Republic Act 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act” will be filed against the suspect on Monday. (FREEMAN)