The Taguig police said based on the initial evidence, there was no foul play involved in the death of two female students inside a public high school in the city. 

On Nov. 10, the two female students, identified by relatives and friends as Irish Sheen Manalo and Mary Nicole Picar, were found dead at about 11 p.m. inside the Girls Scout Mini Office on the third floor of Magsaysay Building of Signal Village National High School, a public school in Taguig. 

 Irish Sheen Manalo (Photo from Rhea Manalo's Facebook account) 

A banner that reads "Justice for Irish Sheen & Mary" outside the school (Photo from the Facebook account of JC Gnaluc) 

A report by Taguig police stated that Mary, 15, was a Grade 10 student of SVNHS and a resident of Barangay South Signal, Taguig; while Irish, 13, was a Grade 8 student at the same school and a resident of Barangay Central Signal, Taguig. 

Rhea Manalo, a cousin of Irish, posted on Facebook and asked classmates, teachers and friends to “come forward and tell the truth,” believing that “she will not dare kill herself. We are still waiting for the autopsy result as of this post.” 

“The initial evidence gathered by the Philippine National Police-Taguig and the Scene of Crime Operation (SOCO) do not indicate foul play in the deaths of two female high school students whose lifeless bodies were discovered almost midnight of Friday, Nov 10, at Signal Village National High School,” the Taguig police said in a statement issued on Nov. 11. 

“PNP-Taguig urges the public to refrain from making speculations that could worsen the situation experienced by the grieving families. PNP-Taguig assures everyone, especially the bereaved families, that the investigation will continue and it will be conducted thoroughly and expeditiously. PNP-Taguig thanks the city government of Taguig for its full support to the bereaved families and cooperation with the ongoing investigation,” it added. 

According to the Taguig police, a witness identified as Danielle, 16, a student, said the two students were last seen at about 7:45 p.m on Nov. 10 after they told her they went home. 

However, it was learned through their Messenger group that the two did not go home. Danielle immediately searched for the victims and found their bodies hanging with a rope tied around their necks and attached to a steel grill in the office. 

The witness informed the security guards who reported the incident to the Taguig police. 

The Taguig City government also issued a statement on Nov. 11, saying, “The City of Taguig mourns the loss of two high school students found lifeless at Signal Village National High School last Friday night. “

“Our deepest sympathies go out to their grieving families. The City Government assures the grieving families of its full support as they struggle to comprehend this inexplicable misfortune,” it said. 

It said, “Mayor Lani Cayetano has instructed authorities to conduct a thorough investigation that would shed light on the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. We kindly request the public to avoid sharing unverified information on social media that may only hurt the feelings of the bereaved families.”

“This sad event is devastating not only to the bereaved loved ones but to Mayor Lani and the entire Taguig community. We seek God’s guidance, and call on the church leaders, teachers and school administrators, parents, and community leaders to come together for our young people and help them navigate this difficult experience,” the city government said. 

It added, “We just re-launched last month our ‘Helping Others find Peace and Encouragement (HOPE) Program.’ The Program addresses anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and suicidal tendencies in students through monthly plenary workshops and weekly small groups discussions in schools with volunteers from faith-based organizations. We put up HOPE Centers in pilot schools where troubled students can drop by anytime without fear of stigma or being judged. Re-training of volunteers is ongoing. We urge our students to take part in our HOPE Program.”

“Some students, friends, classmates, or teachers may find it difficult to cope with this tragedy. Our counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists will be at  Signal Village National High School to help them. Anyone may also call the Taguig Mental Health Teleconsultation Hotline at 0929-521-8373 or contact our dedicated social workers at 0932-272-4888.  Life is a precious gift. Every life is important. In this time of collective sorrow, let us show collective resolve to overcome this tragedy,” the city government said.