Bacolod couple charged for daughter's death denied bail

A Bacolod City couple charged for the killing of their six-year-old daughter may be transferred to the city jail next week, after the city prosecutor denied them bail. City police women and children's protection center head Inspector Jovy Cabcaban said they are waiting for the commitment order for Rachel Esguera and Bernard Nolan. She added that the couple's arraignment is scheduled on December 6, according to a report Friday on the news site Visayan Daily Star. Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Ray Alan Drilon will hear the case. According to Cabcaban, parricide is a non-bailable offense as it is equivalent to murder. The police had charged the couple with parricide for the girl's brutal death. Parricide is the act of murdering a close relative. The police said their investigation showed that the girl died after allegedly being maltreated by the couple. Cabcaban said her office will present additional evidences in court, aside from those they presented when they filed the case at the City Prosecutor’s Office. The new evidences include the report of the social worker of the Department of Social Services and Development on the behavioral pattern of the parents. Cabcaban said they will also present the blood test result of the child, which will be matched with the bloodstains seen at the crime scene. She added that while the incident is an isolated case, it had been an eye-opener for all parents not to abuse their children physically. A candlelight and prayer vigil for speedy justice for the child had been scheduled Friday at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod. – VVP, GMANews.TV