Boy feared dead surfaces

The 13-year-old boy who was feared dead is alive after all.

Warren Labitad yesterday showed up at the Talisay City Police Office a day after his stepmother reported to the police that he had been killed by his father.

Last Wednesday afternoon, Angelina Cabiles reported to the police that the boy had been missing since June 7 and accused his live-in partner, Reynaldo Labitad, 45, of killing the boy.

The woman also complained that he was mauled by Reynaldo. The woman said it was the boy’s two siblings who informed her that Reynaldo stabbed and killed the boy.

Acting on the report, police arrested Reynaldo.

Police also recovered a rock, wood and sack with blood stains as evidence.

Teodoro Labitad, Reynaldo’s younger brother, couldn’t believe the accusation hurled against his brother.

In his bid to find the boy, Teodoro went to Asturias town where the boy would usually go to visit his uncle.

Teodoro found the boy in Asturias and brought him back to Talisay.

In an interview with radio dySS, the boy said he took a bus going to Asturias without seeking permission from his parents.

The boy said he was surprised when he learned through radio reports that his father was accused of killing him.

The boy said his siblings aged five and six were lying when they told the police that he was stabbed by his father.

Although it was proven that the boy was not actually killed, Reynaldo will remain in detention for mauling his wife, Supt. Elmer Lim, chief of Talisay City police.

Police said Reynaldo could be charged for frustrated murder for beating his wife.

The man could also face child abuse charges for threatening his children.

Reynaldo, a charcoal maker, allegedly threatened his children against reporting to the police that he allegedly mauled his partner, police said.

Warren was turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) for custody.