15-year-old boy admits killing mother with hammer in Bohol

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 02, 2026

Photon Courtesy: PNP

A 15-year-old boy has admitted to killing his 46-year-old mother following an argument at their home in Panglao, Bohol, before hiding her body inside an abandoned septic tank, police said.

The victim, identified as Rea Hormiguera, was found dead inside the septic tank in Barangay Looc on Saturday, October 31. Her body was discovered after a neighbor and a relative noticed flies gathering around the area.

According to Police Major Joseph Lopena of the Bohol Police Provincial Office, the teenager confessed to striking his mother’s head four times with a hammer after she reprimanded him for frequently skipping classes.

Investigators said the boy dragged his mother’s body from their home to the septic tank, approximately 30 meters away, and covered it with stones. He also allegedly attempted to clean bloodstains inside the house to conceal the incident.

The teenager initially told investigators that his mother had left for Tagbilaran City and had not returned. Police later recovered the hammer believed to have been used in the killing.

Authorities described the 15-year-old as a child in conflict with the law. He has since been placed under the custody of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for appropriate intervention.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is expected to assess whether the minor acted with discernment, which will help determine the appropriate legal process.

Police have declared the case solved following the teenager’s confession.