1-year-old boy hacked to death by cousin

CEBU, Philippines - Gilbert Jimenez would have been two years old next month but a gruesome twist of fate denied any chance for that to happen.

Gilbert was eating innocently at his family’s house in Barangay Media Onse, Toledo City Monday morning when his 22-year-old cousin, Ernia Segara, arrived with a bolo and hacked him several times. 

The child sustained wounds to his head, neck, shoulders and his hand was mutilated.

“Mao to mga alas 10 sa buntag, ang naggalam ani iyaan ra pud sa bata, nisulod ni si Ernia nagdala og sundang gitigbas dayon ang bata,” said PO3 Alfred Barquin.

Barquin said Segara claimed to be possessed by spirits at the time he killed his cousin and admitted to using illegal drugs at times.

“Makatubag pa nako… mitug-an siya mugamit siya panagsa. Nasudlan og dautan ispiritu iyang utok. Akong analisar daan nang diperensyado sa utok,” Barquin said.

According to Segara’s relatives, the suspect reportedly is not fond of children and hates seeing them.

“Ang tripping ani niya, mga bata nga iyang mga paryente maglagot siya magtan-aw,” Barquin said.

According to Jocelyn, the aunt who was watching over the child at the time of the incident, Segara was grinding his teeth and was looking at the child with a piercing stare at the time of the incident.

“Matud pa ni Jocelyn nga nag-galam sa bata, nagpangagot ang ngipon, nagsulimbat ang mata sa suspek,” Barquin said.

After he hacked the child, Segara reportedly touched the mutilated hand before he left the house.

“Pagkahuman ninaog, gihikap pa ang kamot nga naputol, nilakaw nitago sa Can-tabaco,” Barquin said.

Segara was eventually arrested by tanods of Barangay Media Once in a hot pursuit.

Yesterday, Segara was charged with murder but Barquin said he fears there might be a chance he can get away with the crime because of his mental condition, a situation that the policeman said would be dangerous.

“Ako tong giingnan ang paryenti, kini inyong ig-agaw o pag-umangkon nga may dautan pangisip, og makagawas ni, makapatay pa gyud ni,” Barquin said. — /JMO (FREEMAN)