Police say teen raped, strangled; uncle surrenders

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police said the 18-year-old woman found dead in Calinog, Iloilo, did not die by suicide but was sexually assaulted and later killed.

Police said an autopsy showed the victim, identified only by the alias Ann, was molested and died of strangulation.

Her body was discovered at about 1 p.m. on Feb. 4.

She was found lying on a bed, fully clothed and covered with a blanket inside her room at a house in Barangay Owak, Calinog, which she shared with her grandfather and a 15-year-old cousin.

Police initially thought she died by self-harm after injuries were seen on her wrist.

However, Maj. Myles Dieron, Calinog police chief, said there were signs the case was not a suicide.

“She had a hematoma on the neck. Her wrist had no blood,” he said.

Dieron said a blade appeared to have been “planted,” and the wound did not appear consistent with the weapon found.

An autopsy was conducted on the evening of Feb. 5, which police said confirmed their initial findings.

By Friday morning, the victim’s uncle, identified only by the alias Bok, 27, surrendered to police and admitted the crime.

Bok, described by police as a cousin of the victim’s mother, lives about 500 meters from where the victim was staying.

Police said the victim’s cousin left the house at about 7 a.m. Wednesday, leaving the victim and her grandfather, who has hearing problems.

Police said the victim was inside her room while the grandfather was outside.

Dieron said the suspect, who was reportedly hung over from drinking the night before, allegedly entered the victim’s room and raped her.

Police said the victim’s mother works in Metro Manila and last went home in December 2025.

From Tapaz, Capiz, where the victim previously lived, the mother brought her to Calinog to stay with relatives.

Police said the suspect even accompanied the victim when she was taken to the hospital.

Authorities said he went into hiding several hours later.

Dieron said police will file a complaint for rape with homicide against the suspect.