Ten-year old misleads police on death of pal
ROXAS CITY – “Had the suspect not mislead the police and the barangay official of what really happened to my son, maybe he did not suffer loss of blood and is still alive,” Rosalina Baltar, mother of Jesrel, an 8 year-old boy (not girl as earlier reported) who was found floating on the river at Brgy. Yating, Pilar, Capiz on November 7.
Rosalina blamed Joenel Vergara, 10, of the same place, of misleading the police and barangay officials that his son was abducted by three members of the New People’s Army (NPAs) who were wearing a bonnet.
According to her, had Joenel told the truth that her son was accidentally hit by an air gun, he could have been rescued and brought to the hospital for medical treatment for loss of blood.
Jesrel was missing since November 5 after he accompanied Vergara to have bird hunting in the forest at the said place.
On the other hand, Vergara, who is currently under the custody of Municipal Welfare and Development Office (DSWD) in Pilar, asked an apology to the family of the victim.
According to him, he did not intend to kill the victim but accidentally fired his air gun hitting the victim when he was fueling air. Due to fear and demoralization, he revealed to his parents and barangay officials that the victim was abducted by NPAs who were wearing bonnets. He said that he escaped from the said armed men and went home.
The reported case of abduction reached to the Pilar PNP Station prompting Sr. Inspector Nasser Canja to conduct a manhunt operation, however, it became futile.
Bothered by his conscience, Jonel confessed to his parent the truth and when they went to the scene of incident, they found already in advance state of decomposition.