According to local media the infants mother Lorna Stephanie Nueva was carrying him in her arms as they travelled from a clinic in Catarman to their home in Palapag on Sunday. The incident happened as the Honda motorcycle moved through the village of Rawis in Laoang, some 30 miles from Catarman. Witnesses says his neck was severed within seconds of getting caught, neither his mother or grandmother was able to react in time to save his life.
The 19-month-old was wearing the scarf due to illness and to protect him from the extreme temperatures in the region on Laoang, Northern Samar.
Young children travelling on motorbikes with adults is common practise in the Philippines but can be extremely dangerous especially during long journeys.
Elizar Diu, Laoang police investigator, said the baby’s mother and grandmother were still in a state of shock and could not completely explain what happened.
However he did say the two women could be charged with “reckless imprudence resulting in homicide” under the Republic Act which governs child safety on motorcycles, according to local media.
An investigation into the incident is now under way.
His body was taken to the Rural Health Unit in Laoang town for post mortem examination.
This was the second tragedy the family has suffered in two years.
In 2016, her eldest daughter, who was 8-years-old at that time, drowned in a river in their village in Sumoroy, Palapag town.