Grandson nearly strangles grandfather, is arrested
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines — A 26-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly tried to strangle his grandfather during a heated confrontation inside their home in Barangay Poblacion Pardo, Cebu City, on Thursday afternoon, June 4.
According to the suspect, the incident stemmed from an argument involving a misplaced e-bike key and the victim’s alleged verbal abuse toward his wife, whom the suspect calls his “mother.”
Police identified the suspect as John Dharelle Sevilla, who was taken into custody after authorities said he nearly strangled his 65-year-old grandfather, Raul Jacob Sevilla, at around 1 p.m.
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Fight over missing e-bike key
According to Sevilla, the incident stemmed from an argument over a misplaced key to their e-bike.
He said his grandfather and wife had initially figured in a verbal altercation after the elderly man ordered his spouse to look for the missing key.
Sevilla claimed he intervened after hearing his grandfather shout at and threaten his wife, whom he considers his “mother.”
“Nilaban ko kay gibanghag-banghagan man gud niya akong mama. Tungod lang sa yawi bitaw,” Sevilla said.
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(I fought because he was shouting at my mother all because of the key.)
The suspect said the key had merely been misplaced and could have been searched for without resorting to hurtful words.
He further claimed that after the key had been found, his grandfather threw it outside and instructed his wife to pick it up.
“Pagkuha sa yawi, gilabay man gud. Gilabay sa gawas, nya akong mama may gipapunit,” he said.
(After the key was found, he threw it outside and made my mother pick it up.)
Tension escalates
Sevilla said he confronted his grandfather about his treatment of his wife, causing the argument to escalate into a physical altercation.
He admitted that he was overwhelmed by anger and said he had been trying to restrain himself despite previous disagreements with his grandfather.
“Nagpaminaw ra gyud unta ko, Sir. Nya gipugngan kos akong pares na ayaw na lang,” Sevilla said.
(I was just listening, and my partner was already telling me to let it go.)
Police, however, said the suspect later interfered in the quarrel between the elderly couple, threatened the victim, and choked him.
Investigators said the victim’s wife and a household helper managed to intervene and separate the two.
Authorities added that had they failed to do so, the victim could have died from strangulation.
Previous family tensions
During interviews with reporters, Sevilla admitted that the incident was not the first time he had clashed with his grandfather.
He said they had already figured in several confrontations in the past, although these were mostly limited to heated exchanges.
According to the suspect, Thursday’s incident was the worst confrontation they had experienced.
Sevilla also maintained that he had no intention of killing his grandfather and that he merely acted out of anger.
“Wala gyud koy intensyon. Murag nadala lang bitaw sa adrenaline ug sa kalagot,” he said.
(I had no intention. I was simply carried away by adrenaline and anger.)
Suspect arrested
According to a report from Inayawan Police Station, a barangay passerby witnessed the commotion and alerted police officers assigned to a nearby elevated outpost.
The report prompted responding officers to proceed to the area, leading to the arrest of Sevilla at around 3 p.m.
Detention
As of Friday, June 5, Sevilla remains detained at Inayawan Police Station.
During interviews, he expressed remorse over the incident and apologized to his grandfather.
“Mangayo lang gyud ko og pasaylo sa akong Papa. Ug mahatagan ko og last chance, luoy pud akong anak, bata pa pud,” he said.
(I just want to ask forgiveness from my father. If I am given another chance, I hope they will consider my child, who is still very young.)
Sevilla said he has a two-year-old child and reiterated that he did not intend to kill his grandfather.
Police are conducting further investigation while preparing an attempted parricide complaint against the suspect.
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