Body of missing 7-year old girl in GenSan found in sack, police tag 74-year old neighbor as suspect

A seven-year old girl who had been missing for three days was found dead inside a sack in General Santos City, with police suspecting the victim was raped before being killed by her 74-year old neighbor.

According to a 24 Oras report by Abbey Caballero of GMA Regional TV One Mindanao, the victim, “Anna” (not her real name) was reported missing on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Three days later, Anna’s body was found stuffed in a sack that was dumped in an empty lot in Purok 9, Barangay Conel, General Santos City.

“May nakita kaming sako. Unang sako na nakita naming is basura. Pangalawa, ‘yung sako sa dulo kaya tiningnan namin,” said a neighbor, Madelyn Tagalog.

(We found some sacks. The first sack contained trash. Then we saw another sack at the back, so we looked at it.)

“Nakita ko yung short. Pagdating ng lola niya, pinakita namin yung short kung kay (Anna) ba, kay (Anna) nga daw,” said another neighbor, April Zapanta.

(I saw a pair of shorts. When her grandmother arrived, we showed it to her to her to see if they belonged to (Anna). She said they belonged to her granddaughter.)

According to police, the victim may have been raped before she was killed.

“Sinakal dito ng t-shirt na we believe na isa sa cause of death niya is asphyxia. The thing is yung binuksan yung sako, walang damit, hubo’t-hubad yung biktima so it is an indication na na-rape siya,” said Police Major Robert Fores, Station 9 Police Chief, General Santos City.  

“Tumugma itong mga circumstantial and testimonial nitong ating eyewitness. Yung dalawang t-shirt na may blood stain at tsaka yung dalawang knife, I already requested for the DNA analysis examination and we are looking forward na magkaroon ng positive result that would also help us in filing solid case against the person of interest na ngayon ay naging suspek na natin sa pag-gahasa at pagpatay,” said Fores.

(This matched with the circumstantial and testimonials of our eyewitness. The two t-shirts with blood stains and the two knives, I already requested for the DNA analysis examination, and we are looking forward to having a positive result that would also help us in filing a solid case against the person of interest who is now we have become a suspect in rape and murder.)

A case of rape with homicide is being prepared against the person of interest.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao tried to get a statement from the man but he was not at his residence when the news team arrived.—Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News