The chief of the Taguig police belied speculations by netizens about the death of two female students inside the Signal Village National High School (SVNHS). 

Despite the declaration by the Taguig police and Southern Police District (SPD) that there was no foul play in the death of students Irish Sheen Manalo, 13, and Mary Nicole Picar, 15, last Nov. 10, some netizens are still doubting the findings. 

Students Irish Sheen Manalo (left) and Mary Nicole Picar (Photo from Rhea Manalo's Facebook account, Instagram) 

“Our investigator's findings supported by post-mortem exam by SPD forensic team found no foul play in the incident as of this time,” the SPD said in a statement issued on Nov. 13.

Post-mortem exam refers to autopsy, which “is a specialized surgical procedure used to determine the cause and manner of death,” according to the Yale School of Medicine website.   

Manalo and Picar were found dead at about 11 p.m. inside the Girls Scout Mini Office on the third floor of Magsaysay Building of SVNHS in Barangay Central Signal, Taguig. 

Col. Robert Baesa, Taguig police chief, said based on the autopsy done by the forensic team, Manalo and Picar died of asphyxia by hanging. The two were also negative in pregnancy tests done. 

“Kaya huwag tayo mag-speculate (So let us not speculate),” Baesa appealed to the public.  

“Asphyxiation is when your body doesn’t get enough oxygen. Asphyxiation affects how you breathe. It may cause you to pass out (unconsciousness). It can also cause death,” according to the Cleveland Clinic website. 

Baesa said based on their initial investigation, there was no foul play involved in their deaths. He said when the police investigator and Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) personnel entered the room, they immediately looked for evidence if there was a sign of “paglalaban” (struggle) by the two students and concluded there was none. 

“Malinis ang mga katawan ng mga bata (The bodies of the children were clean [of any sign of struggle]),” he said. 

Netizens circulated a video taken when the bodies of Manalo and Picar were discovered inside the room. The video showed the two were lying down when discovered. Some netizens posted that if the two were found hanging, why were their bodies lying down when discovered.  

About the video, Baesa clarified that the initial reaction of the responder was to try to revive them. He said what a first responder would do was to cut the rope and will to try to revive a person in that situation. 

A report by the Taguig police stated that a witness, identified as Danielle, 16, a student, said Manalo and Picar 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. 

About the absence of the CCTV inside the school, Baesa said they learned that it was under maintenance at the time. 

Baesa earlier said the families of the two female students have accepted the police’s explanation that there was no foul play involved. 

The SPD urged “the public to allow the families the space to grieve for their two young members. Speculations can only aggravate the sorrow for the bereaved families, we request everyone to refrain from engaging in discussions that may cause them additional distress.”

It assured “the community that SPD remains committed to ensuring justice and understanding in this unfortunate situation.”