KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya – A 14-year-old girl was found dead inside the Information Center Tourism Building in Barangay Capisaan here on Saturday afternoon, June 13.

Police said the victim was discovered by her family lying on the floor with a nylon belt wrapped around her neck. She was covered in blood and without her lower garments.

Investigation said that the victim’s sister had been looking for her since 6 a.m.

The search led her to the building where she saw her sister’s shoes and proceeded to check the audio-visual room. However, she was prevented from entering by their male cousin who immediately closed and locked the door.

At about 2 p.m., the victim’s sister returned to the building with their mother and continued the search and found the victim’s body inside the comfort room.

The victim was taken to a hospital where she was declared dead from asphyxia due to strangulation.

Police launched a follow-up investigation and identified the 17-year-old male relative, classified as a Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL), as the primary suspect.

With the help of the suspect’s father, who is the brother of the victim’s mother, the suspect was located at his grandfather’s residence in Barangay Dine, a remote area that requires nearly three hours of walking to reach.

The suspect is under the custody of the Kasibu police, parents and representatives of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), pending further investigation and case proceedings.

Police said her family had difficulty seeking assistance because there was no cellular signal in the area and a power outage occurred during the incident.

Follow-up investigation is ongoing.