Girl’s grisly death under police investigation

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Authorities are investigating the death of a 7-year-old girl in a central Iloilo town, as police eye possible foul play and continue to gather leads.

The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. on November 8 inside the home where the child was staying with her father.

The child, alias “Bebe,” had earlier visited her grandmother, Sora (not her real name), and had lunch with her at around 2 p.m.

She returned to her father’s house, which was about 30 meters away, after the meal.

Sora said her son, the victim’s father, usually left the child in her care while he worked in a nearby village.

The girl’s mother has a new family following her separation from Bebe’s father.

Sora said she began searching when Bebe failed to return after more than 20 minutes.

She went to the child’s house, found the door to the sleeping quarters locked, and searched the rest of the house.

After checking the living room and kitchen, she went to the comfort room located at the back of the house and discovered the child inside a tightly tied sack.

Sora immediately called for help, and relatives rushed the child to the hospital.

Doctors declared her dead shortly after arrival. The family suspects possible foul play.

The local police said investigators are looking into four persons of interest, all residents of the same village.

The individuals have been subjected to swab testing, and an autopsy will be conducted on the victim.

As of press time, police said they have no eyewitnesses and are relying on circumstantial evidence.

Investigators are also awaiting the results of forensic tests to establish the cause of death.