Missing 9-year-old found dead in Novaliches vacant lot; 13-year-old neighbor in police custody

• A 9-year-old girl reported missing was found lifeless and unclothed in a vacant lot in Barangay Santa Lucia, Novaliches, Quezon City on Sunday afternoon
• CCTV footage showed the victim walking with a 13-year-old male neighbor to the compound where her body was later discovered; the suspect has been taken into police custody
• Barangay captain Ruel Marpa stated the suspect admitted to strangling the victim until she lost consciousness, after which "something happened that shouldn’t have"
• Authorities are investigating the possibility of other individuals being involved, as they doubt the boy could have entered the locked compound alone

A 9-year-old initially reported missing was found lifeless in a vacant lot in Barangay Santa Lucia, Novaliches, Quezon City, on Sunday afternoon, according to the barangay government.

Barangay Sta. Lucia Captain Ruel Marpa confirmed that the victim was discovered without clothes.

“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,” Marpa said in a report by GMA Integrated News' James Agustin on Unang Balita.

Read also

Singer na si Jessie J, muling naospital dahil sa infection at fluid sa kanyang lungs

CCTV footage showed the victim walking with a 13-year-old toward the compound where her body was later discovered.

The boy was identified as a neighbor of the victim and was invited by barangay officials for questioning.

“Sabi niya noong madaling araw, doon nga po sila pumunta sa Valbuena compound bandang dulo. Magkasama po sila. Doon sa testimony niya po ang pagkaksabi 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.

Theboy is now in police custody. Authorities are investigating whether other individuals were involved, as they question how the suspect could have entered the locked compound alone.

The victim’s body will undergo autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. The family has declined media interviews, while the Quezon City Police District has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident as of posting time.

Read also

Bianca Umali’s sentimental birthday post for Barbie Forteza sparks emotion online

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories that people could easily understand and relate in their lives.

In news abroad, Humaira Asghar Ali’s brother, Naveed Asghar, arrived from Lahore to claim her remains and arrange her burial. Her decomposed body was found in a DHA Phase-VI apartment during a court-ordered eviction; she is believed to have died 8–10 months ago. DNA tests and chemical analyses are underway to confirm her identity and determine the cause of death, as no injuries were found.

In other news, Paolo “Paowee” Tantoco died from coca1ne effects, with heart disease as a contributing factor, according to the LA County Medical Examiner. His death was ruled accidental, and the case remains open under file number 2025-04377. Tantoco passed away on March 8 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, a day after attending the Manila International Film Festival. He is survived by his wife Dina Arroyo, niece of former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, and their three children.

Source: KAMI.com.gh