The families of the two female students found dead inside a public high school in Taguig on Nov. 10 have accepted the police’s explanation that there was no foul play involved.
This is according to Col. Robert Baesa, chief of the Taguig police, who met the families of Irish Sheen Manalo, 13, and Mary Nicole Picar, 15, on Nov. 11.
Irish Sheen Manalo (left) and Mary Nicole Picar (Photo from Rhea Manalo's Facebook post, Instagram)
A report by the Taguig police stated that Manalo and Picar were found dead at about 11 p.m. on Nov. 10 inside the Girls Scout Mini Office on the third floor of Magsaysay Building of Signal Village National High School (SVNHS) in Barangay Central Signal.
The following day, the Taguig police issued a statement declaring that based on the initial evidence, no foul play was involved in the death of Manalo and Picar.
“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.
The deaths of Manalo and Picar triggered posts on Facebook, calling for justice for the two students.
Baesa said the families of Manalo and Picar have accepted the police’s explanation that there was no foul play involved in their deaths.
He added that the police are awaiting the results of the police’s crime laboratory or forensic unit investigation.
“Antay pa yun result ng crime lab, pero initial investigation wala kami nakita foul play (Still waiting for the result of the crime lab but based on our initial investigation, we did not see foul play),” he said.
According to the Taguig police, a witness identified as Danielle, 16, a student, said the two victims 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 Girls Scout office.
The witness informed the security guards who reported the incident to the Taguig police.
Families, relatives, friends and classmates paid tribute to Manalo and Picar on social media.
“It is with sorrow, We announce that our classmate Irish Sheen Manalo and her friend Mary Nicole Picar had passed away. Condolences to both families. We are witnesses of their kind hearts. Both girls always greeted everyone with a smile. Their acts of services always brought happiness to their fellow students. Though they may not be with us anymore, their memories will be always kept alive in our hearts. May you Rest in Paradise, Irish, and Mary,” according to a Facebook post made by the section SVNHS 8-Gold 23'-24.'
A tribute for Irish Sheen Manalo (left) and Mary Nicole Picar (Photo from SVNHS 8-Gold 23'-24.' Facebook page)
Rhea Manalo, a cousin of Irish, earlier 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 Taguig police urged “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.”
The Department of Education (DepEd) issued a statement on Nov. 11 about the incident.
“The Department of Education (DepEd) is immensely saddened by the loss of two of our learners from Signal Village National High School (SVNHS). The DepEd fully commits to cooperate with the PNP Taguig regarding this matter, and is committed towards the swift and expeditious conduct of the ongoing investigation,” it said.
It added, “We express our deepest sympathies to the families. The loss of young lives is a devastating blow to any community. Likewise, the Department appeals to the public to respect the privacy of the families during this tragic time.”