Missing 14-year-old student found dead; probably raped—Soco

DIGOS CITY—The body of a 14-year-old girl, who had been missing since Thursday, was found at an abandoned lot in Barangay Tiguman here early morning Saturday.

Already in a decomposing state, the remains of Brindalyn Batuto was discovered by family members on a grassy and secluded area in an abandoned animal farm. The victim was still in her school uniform when found around 7:30 a.m.

Rolly Batuto, the girl’s uncle, said since Thursday her niece failed to come home from the Matti High School Annex, where she was Grade 7.

Rolly said they searched all over the village but were unfruitful since Thursday, until they decided to retrace the girl’s path from school on Saturday.

Rolly said what led them to Brindalyn’s body was the stench of a decomposing flesh.

Her underwear, he said, was found hanging on the bushes – just a few meters from where her body was discovered.

Investigators from the police’s Scene of the Crime Operations (Soco) said it was likely that the girl was raped before being killed.

Senior Inspector Gil Arobo, the Digos police chief investigator, said they already had some persons of interest but the investigation was still continuing. /jpv