ABS-CBN reports: Mother kills own baby, eats organs

Report from Julius Camba, ABS-CBN Cagayan Valley

ISABELA, Philippines – A mother diagnosed with schizophrenia was arrested by authorities in Ilagan, Isabela, for killing her 1-year-old daughter.

Authorities suspect that the mother “Carol” (not her real name) ate her daughter’s internal organs after slitting her throat.

Neighbors said they alerted police when they saw a bloodied Carol outside her house carrying a sack. They said the suspect was caught in the act of throwing the sack, which contained the dead infant.

“Dati pinutol niya ‘yung ulo ng pusa tapos ininom 'yung dugo, tapos ngayon naman ginawa niya kinatay niya ‘yung anak niya. Ininom niya ‘yung dugo tapos kinain niya ‘yung atay, puso, saka bituka nung anak niya,” said Reynaldo Gantalao, one of Carol’s neighbors.

Police said Carol, who had a live-in partner, was living a life of depression after her husband left her.

“Kasi iniwan siya ng dati niyang asawa. Siguro dahil sa matinding problema kaya nabaliw ‘yung nanay,” said Police Superintendent Baltazar Israel.

Medical examinations confirmed that Carol is suffering from schizophrenia.

The incident has raised fear among the residents of Ilagan. “Karumal-dumal talaga, biruan mo ganun ‘yung ginawa sa anak niya,” said one of the residents Marilou Agor.

The Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has filed parricide charges against the suspect.

Carol is set to be admitted to Cagayan Valley Medical Center to receive medical attention.