A nine-year-old girl was found dead and unclothed inside a vacant compound in Barangay Santa Lucia, Novaliches, Quezon City, on Sunday afternoon, August 3, just one day after she was reported missing.
Police said a 13-year-old boy has been apprehended and has confessed to strangling the victim.
Barangay officials said the child’s body was discovered around 5 p.m. within the premises of the compound.
Her father, who was among the first to reach the scene, reportedly wrapped her in a blanket upon finding her body.
“Noong pumunta ako, nakabalot na po siya ng kumot kasi siguro po noong unang dumating doon ‘yung magulang mismo nakita ng magulang na lalaki (tatay) ‘yung anak niya binalot niya po agad ng kumot kasi natagpuan po yung bata ayon sa mga nakakita hubo’t hubad na,” Barangay Sta. Lucia chairman Ruel Marpa said.
The victim was reported missing on Saturday, August 2.
A CCTV footage obtained by local officials showed the victim entering the compound with a boy, identified as her 13-year-old neighbor.
He was brought in for questioning by barangay personnel immediately.
The boy allegedly admitted to strangling the girl until she lost consciousness.
“Sabi niya noong madaling araw, doon nga po sila pumunta sa Valbuena compound bandang dulo. Magkasama po sila. Doon sa testimony niya po ang pagkakasabi niya sa amin noong gabi na ‘yun ay sinakal niya lang. Pagkasakal niya, nawalan ng malay. Doon na po ginawa siguro ‘yung hindi dapat mangyari,” Marpa said.
The body of the girl will undergo an autopsy. (Allysa Nievera)
