Teen dies after bottle attack at Negros wake

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 13-year-old boy died after he was struck with an empty liquor bottle by an allegedly intoxicated 29-year-old man in Barangay Paitan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday.

An investigation showed the victim was sitting on a chair while attending a vigil at a neighbor’s wake when the suspect, identified only as Toto, arrived.

The suspect reportedly offered the victim a drink, but the boy refused.

The refusal allegedly irked the suspect, prompting him to hit the victim on the back of the head.

A barangay official reported the incident to police.

Later that night, the victim vomited and was rushed to a hospital, where he died Wednesday morning, police said.

The victim’s mother reported the incident to police that day.

Police arrested the suspect a few hours later in Barangay Jonob-Jonob.

A brief chase occurred when the suspect attempted to escape, police said.

Homicide charges are being prepared against the suspect.

The victim, a Grade 7 student, was supposed to celebrate his birthday next month.