publish time

11/11/2023

author name Arab Times

publish time

11/11/2023

A picture of one of the students who died.

MANILA, Philippines, Nov 11, (Agencies): Late on Friday night, Nov 10, tragedy struck Signal Village National High School (SVNHS) in Taguig as two female students were discovered lifeless inside the Girls Scout Mini Office on the third floor of the Magsaysay Building. The victims were identified as Mary, a 15-year-old Grade 10 student residing in Barangay South Signal, Taguig, and Irish, a 13-year-old Grade 8 student from Barangay Central Signal.

The heartbreaking incident was brought to light when a witness named Danielle, a 16-year-old student, informed Taguig police that the victims were last seen around 7:45 pm on the same night. The two had allegedly informed Danielle that they were going home, but subsequent investigation revealed they never made it. Disturbed by this revelation, Danielle searched for them and tragically discovered their lifeless bodies.

The witness promptly alerted the school's security guards, who, in turn, reported the grim discovery to the Taguig police. The police, according to reports, removed the bodies without the presence of the SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operatives), as indicated by a guard at SVNHS.

Rhea Manalo, a relative of one of the victims, Irish Sheen Manalo, took to Facebook to plea for assistance. She urged classmates, teachers, and friends of the deceased to come forward and share any information they may have. Rhea expressed the family's desperation, stating, "Our family is asking and begging for your help."

In her post, Rhea highlighted concerns about the school's cooperation and the alleged absence of functional CCTV cameras. She called on authorities, specifically addressing DEPED TAPAT-Division of Taguig City, Pateros DepEd Philippines, and Mayor Lani Cayetano, to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Rhea vehemently contested the notion that her cousin, an honor student and active member of the Girls Scout of the Philippines (GSP), would take her own life. While awaiting the autopsy results, she maintained her cousin's innocence, stating, "She will not dare kill herself."

The incident has left the community in shock, prompting a call for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths of these young students.