12-year-old linked to kidnap of 5-year-old shot to death in Bacolod

Police are looking into whether the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old boy in Bacolod City on Saturday had something to do with the kidnapping of a five-year-old girl.

According to GMA Regional TV Adrian Prietos' Monday 24 Oras report, the 12-year-old victim known as "Toto" was about to go to bed on the side of the road during the wee hours of the morning when an unknown assailant shot Toto multiple times on the head.

The shooter quickly fled the scene. Toto, meanwhile, died in hospital.

Security cameras recorded the shooting, but the footage was not made public.

"Nakita namin na parang may inaayos sya. siguro naghahanda na siyang matulog kasi past 1 [a.m.] na noon sa cctv," said Police Station 1 Chief Police Major Elmer Bonilla.

"Then suddenly, mga 1:30 [a.m.], yun na, nakitang may taong bumaril sa kanya."

A witness saw the shooter parked at the corner on a motorcycle.

"Sighted na sya siguro. Binantayan," said the witness.

Police investigators are looking into whether there was a connection between Toto's killing and the abduction of a five-year-old girl.

The girl was reported missing on July 1. She was found on July 2.

Authorities examined the girl, and rape charges were filed against several adults. 

Toto was one of the last people seen with the girl before she went missing, and he was also seen in the company of the alleged rapists.

“May instances na ang bata ang inuutusan sa illegal activity ng mga legal aged na sinampahan ng adbuction doon. So yan ang anggulo na ating tinitingnan,” explained Maj. Bonilla.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development took custody of Toto, but he was soon released after the missing five-year-old was found.

Toto was then seen living on the streets of Bacolod City.

"[Si Toto], tinurn-over sa DSWD. Hindi natin alam kung ano ang dahilan at nakalabas sya. Siya umano yan. Ang ina rin niya umano ang nag-confirm,” said Bonilla.

GMA Regional TV had sought comment from Toto's relatives, but they declined to give a statement. — DVM, GMA Integrated News