BUTUAN CITY – An eight-year-old girl who was reported missing on Saturday was found dead and unclothed in a vacant lot in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Novaliches, Quezon City, on Sunday afternoon.
According to reports, authorities reviewing CCTV footage discovered that the girl was last seen being led away by a 13-year-old male neighbor, who is now the primary suspect in the case.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Geronimo Dimayuga Jr. of the Fairview Police Station said the suspect lured the victim to the vacant lot under the pretense of showing her some bottles. A bladed weapon was also found at the crime scene.
According to Dimayuga, the suspect admitted to strangling the victim after she refused his advances. The investigation also revealed signs that the young girl tried to fight back.
The suspect was brought to the barangay hall for questioning, accompanied by his aunt. Barangay Chairman Ruel Marpa stated that the boy confessed to strangling the victim until she lost consciousness, after which the alleged abuse likely occurred.
The victim’s body will undergo autopsy, while the suspect is set to be transferred to a Youth Home facility and will face murder charges. Authorities are also investigating whether the suspect acted alone. Both families have declined to issue any public statements at this time.
