• Eight-year-old child found dead in a forested area
• The suspect is a relative and neghbor of the child

Philippine authorities found the body of an eight-year-old child in a forested area in San Pablo City, Laguna Province, after he was allegedly attacked by one of his neighbors while on his way to school.

The child’s family identified him as Gianni, and his body was discovered around 11 a.m. in the Santigao II neighborhood.

The police reported that the child sustained multiple stab wounds to the ear, neck, and abdomen, and also lost some fingers, believed to have occurred while trying to defend himself from the attacker.

The incident occurred while Gianni was waiting for his father to finish bathing before heading to school.

When the father returned, he could not find the child and saw his school bag left behind, assuming that Gianni had already left, and took the bag to school—only to later discover that his son had not arrived.

Family members and neighbors immediately joined the search, and the child’s body was found in a nearby forested area.

Colonel Redentor Tiranya, head of San Pablo Police, confirmed that the suspect—identified as a relative and neighbor of the child—was detained by the police, and a murder case was filed at the city prosecutor’s office.

However, the prosecutor ordered the temporary release of the suspect after finding that the verbal evidence presented by the police was insufficient, and directed the police to gather additional evidence before refiling any charges, according to a local report.

The police admitted that some key evidence, including the alleged weapon used and the blood-stained clothing worn by the suspect, had not yet been recovered.

The investigation took a personal turn when the child’s father, Jon-Jon Suarez, revealed that the suspect was a close relative of the family.

He said: “I cannot believe that our relative did this to my son, as we are cousins. His father and my mother are brother and sister.”

The police noted that the incident may have stemmed from repeated quarrels among the children.

Major Malibol, one of the investigators, said that Gianni was very active and often played with the suspect’s grandchildren.

He added: “According to the mother’s account, the suspect would get angry when his grandchildren got involved in fights with the victim, which often caused the children to cry.”

Despite the case and public attention, the suspect denied any involvement in the child’s death, stating: “Their accusations are wrong. I did not do it. My conscience is clear.”

Authorities confirmed that they would continue efforts to fight crime and pursue the investigation into Gianni’s death while collecting additional evidence.