Man beheads mother after mistaking her for ‘aswang’ in Bacolod

A man beheaded his mother with a bolo after he allegedly mistook her for an "aswang" in their house in Bacolod City in Negros Occidental on Thursday.

Police arrested Percival Gabitanan, 34, for the grisly death of his mother Elidena, 70, according to a report by GMA Bacolod's Erwin Nicavera.

Barangay tanods who rushed to the Gabitanan house in Barangay Tangub saw the headless body of the victim, whose hands and feet were tied.

"Hinampas niya ito ng kawayan prior sa pagpatay sa pamamagitan ng pagpugot ng kanyang ina," said Inspector Richard Fajarito, deputy chief of the city police's Station 8.

The suspect, however, insisted he thought his mother was an "aswang."

"Aswang pala si Nanay. Kasi ang ina mo kapag titingnan mo, klaro talaga agad. Si Nanay hindi ko makilala, hindi klaro," he said.

Their neighbors said they heard the mother and son having an argument before the crime.

When the neighbors heard the son threatening to kill his mother, they sought help from the barangay tanods.

Police said their initial findings suggested the suspect was under the influence of illegal drugs.

He was detained at the police headquarters, and is facing charges of parricide. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News