A father, 33, was in hospital yesterday after allegedly murdering his two sons before trying to take his own life, police said.

Keov Ladang has been accused of strangling his two sons, Keov Sovan, 6, and Keov Dara, 3, in his home in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey district.

“Someone was able to intervene before the father killed himself,” district police chief Born Samath said.

“He was hospitalised.”

A witness said Ladang, a soldier in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, had gambled away his money and motorcycle, returned home on Monday night, called his ex-wife and said: “I must say goodbye to the children and to you.”

Police have yet to charge Ladang, but will detain him when he is released from hospital.

To contact the reporter on this story: Khoun Leakhana at [email protected]