Grandmother critically burned by son-in-law in Cebu; child films attack

AN 84-year-old grandmother is in critical condition after her son-in-law doused her with gasoline and set her on fire in Carcar, Cebu. The crime was even recorded on video by the suspect’s 11-year-old son.

According to a report by Fe Marie Dumaboc of GMA Regional TV on GTV’s “State of the Nation” on Tuesday, the victim was doing laundry when the suspect poured gasoline on her and set her ablaze.

The video captures the child’s shock and panic as he witnesses his father’s actions towards his grandmother.

The grandmother sustained third-degree burns and is currently under observation at the hospital.

The victim’s grandson revealed that his father was drunk when he ordered him to film his grandmother.

“My dad got his phone and gave it to me. He told me to video my grandma. They were talking, then he took something from his bag, a tumbler with gas. I could smell the gas,” the child recounted.

Police investigation revealed that the suspect and the victim had a history of conflict. They reportedly argued when the suspect confronted the victim about his wife (the grandmother’s daughter), who had been missing since December.

“The suspect and the victim had previous grudges. According to the suspect, his wife was being brainwashed by the grandmother. Then later on, the suspect said his wife didn’t come home,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Ruel Burlat, chief of the Carcar City Police.

The suspect was apprehended, and while in custody, he expressed his suspicion that his mother-in-law was turning his wife against him.

However, the suspect’s son claimed that his mother ran away because of his father’s abuse.

The child expressed deep sympathy for his grandmother’s plight.

“He [the suspect] will not be forgiven. My grandma is pitiful, she’s old, and he did that to her, no respect,” the child said.

The suspect will face charges of frustrated murder.