Missing 17-year-old girl found dead in river

A rescuer checks the body of a female teenager in a river at Barangay Gil Montilla, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental Friday. (Photo courtesy of Dionilo Bogtae/Sipalay Emergency Assistance and Rescue Services)

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – A 17-year-old girl who was reported missing for three days was found dead under a bridge at Sitio Campisang, Barangay Gil Montilla, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental last Friday.

Police withheld the name of the minor-victim, whose decomposing body was found by authorities floating at the river around 1 p.m.

According to Dionilo Bogtae, head of Sipalay Emergency Assistance and Rescue Services, the victim, who was positively identified by her sister, was also half-naked but authorities cannot confirm if she was sexually abused.

She was last seen by her family on New Year’s Eve, before she went to her friend’s house.

Police have yet to determine the cause of her death. She was subjected to a post mortem examination.