An 18-year-old male was confirmed dead while his younger siblings remain in critical condition after they were brutally stabbed by their uncle in Barangay Owak, Asturias, western Cebu, during the early hours of Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
The suspect, identified as 46-year-old George Batomalaque, was swiftly arrested following a manhunt operation by Asturias Municipal Police, which ended in Barangay Vito, Balamban, where he surrendered to a local official.
The fatality, Kyle Padilla, 18, was declared dead-on-arrival at a public hospital in Cebu City due to multiple stab wounds inflicted with a 12-inch kitchen knife.
His siblings—identified by aliases “Gerald,” 10, and “Princess,” 8—remain in critical condition at the hospital from multiple stab wounds.
Initial police investigation revealed that the victims were asleep in their room when the suspect attacked them.
Princess reportedly managed to escape despite being stabbed and sought help from neighbors.
The suspect fled the scene before police and emergency responders arrived to assist the victims.
All three sustained injuries to the head, forehead, back, and various parts of the body, with Kyle sustaining the most fatal wounds.
Asturias police investigators disclosed that the suspect held longstanding resentment toward Kyle, allegedly suspecting an illicit relationship between the youth and his wife—even though Kyle was her nephew.
Police also received additional reports that the suspect had prior grudge-related issues with the victims’ father, potentially contributing to his motive.
The suspect is now in custody at the Asturias Municipal Police Station and is facing charges of murder and frustrated murder.