14-2-2025 (MANILA) Authorities recovered the body of a teenage girl stuffed inside a suitcase floating in Sapang Alat River, which straddles the boundary between San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan and Caloocan City.
Police Chief Master Sergeant Adrian Nolasco, Commander of SJDM PCP 2, confirmed that the victim was a resident of Tala, Caloocan. The discovery was prompted by a concerned citizen’s report to local authorities on Thursday afternoon.
“Upon arrival at the scene, we observed a partially opened suitcase with visible human remains inside,” Nolasco told reporters. “We immediately summoned investigators and requested SOCO (Scene of Crime Operatives) assistance to properly recover the body.”
The victim was found in a foetal position inside the luggage, fully clothed but in a state of decomposition due to prolonged water exposure. According to Police Staff Sergeant Patrick Llanza, the case’s lead investigator, the victim had been missing since 7 February.
Family members revealed that the victim had left home that evening to allegedly assist a friend who was experiencing domestic abuse. “She told our mother she was visiting a friend who was being beaten by her husband,” the victim’s sister tearfully recounted. “By 10 p.m., we couldn’t reach her anymore.”
The family initiated a missing person report on 10 February after exhausting their search of the victim’s known locations. In a heart-wrenching statement, the victim’s sister appealed to the perpetrators: “May their conscience haunt them. My sister’s neck showed signs of trauma, and she was barely recognisable.”
San Jose Del Monte Police have identified two persons of interest and are actively pursuing leads. “We are gathering substantial evidence to build a strong case,” Nolasco assured. “Justice will be served.”
