A 32-year-old man who was celebrating his birthday allegedly killed his eight-year-old son by smothering him with a pillow following a heated argument with the victim’s mother in Panglao.

Suspect Renan Varquez of Barangay Doljo in Panglao, who was arrested by police a few hours after the incident at 11 p.m. on Saturday, admitted to committing the crime, police said.

Varquez also admitted to having been high during the incident.

“Niangkon siya nga nakagamit [shabu] kono siya adto na time, kay birthday man kono to niya, ga-inom ug nanuyop kono sila, matud pa niya, mao siguro nabuhat to niyang dili angay buhaton,” said Master Sgt. Armand Aquil of the Panglao Police Station.

According to Aquil, the victim was found apparently unconscious at the restroom of their home by his mother Rowena Guimalan, who rushed the boy to the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City. The attending physician declared the boy dead on arrival.

Guimalan told police that she left their home following a confrontation with Varquez to avoid a fight prior to the discovery of the boy’s body.

“Nag-away man sila sa iyang asawa, ‘nya nilakaw iyang asawa para di modako ang gubot, ang napahimungtan siguro kanang bata siguro, kay huna huna niya kini kay murag kini maoy di akoa,” said Aquil.

Varquez has two other children with Guimalan.

Police later found out that the live-in couple had been constantly arguing due to jealousy and doubts on who their son’s father is.

“Kanang suspek mag-sige nag ingon sa iyang ka live in nga dili kono niya anak na, sige naman sila’g away kay tungod anang selos selos lagi, iyaha gud siguro na, iyaha rapod siguro huna-huna,” said Aquil.

Varquez is now under the custody of the Panglao Police Station.

He is set to be charged with parricide, said Aquil. (Allen Doydora with a report from Cel Remolador)