A two-year-old girl died after being punched by her stepfather, who allegedly woke up to the noise of a child in Bauan, La Union.
In a report by Tere Sundayon on GMA Regional TV “Balitang Amianan” on Wednesday, the police investigation revealed that the suspect’s stepfather first said that the child allegedly fell and was taken to the hospital, where he died.
But the authorities doubted the suspect’s statement, so they performed an autopsy on the child’s remains and found the real cause of death there.
The suspect later also surrendered and admitted that he punched the child five times in the stomach because he woke up to the noise.
The child’s birth father cannot accept the death of his child.
According to the victim’s relatives, the suspect was kind and caring, so they did not think he would kill the child.
The prosecutor allegedly ordered a preliminary investigation into the case.
Last month, a father also beat his 7-year-old son to death in Rodriguez, Rizal.
Bystanders reported that the suspect appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances and possessed by an evil spirit or demon when he killed his own son.
According to the police report, the victim committed the crime because his pregnant wife refused to engage in sexual activity with him.
The injured man was taken to a neighboring medical clinic before being moved to the Ynares Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Meanwhile, the victim was beaten up by passers-by before being handed over to the cops.
He was taken to jail but died after hitting his head on the prison wall.
Child abuse in the Philippines
Under R.A. No. 7610, child abuse “is any act which inflicts physical or psychological injury, cruelty to or the neglect, sexual abuse of, or which exploits a child.”
The following must report a child abuse case:
- The head of a public or private hospital, medical clinic, or similar institution, and the physician and nurse who attended to the needs of the abused child.
- Teachers and administrators of public schools
- Parole and probation officers
- Government lawyers
- Law enforcement officers
- Barangay officials
- Correction officers such as jail guards
- Other government officials and employees whose work involves dealing with children
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