MANILA, Philippines, Nov 20, (Agencies): The Taguig police will persist in their inquiry into the tragic death of two female students within the premises of Signal Village National High School (SVNHS) on Nov 10. The victims, identified as Irish Sheen Manalo, 13, and Mary Nicole Picar, 15, were discovered lifeless at around 11 pm inside the Girls Scout Mini Office on the third floor of the Magsaysay Building in SVNHS, Barangay Central Signal, Taguig.

Earlier declarations from the Taguig police and Southern Police District (SPD) asserted that the autopsy results indicated no foul play in the students' demise. The SPD stated on Nov 13, "Our investigator's findings supported by post-mortem exam by SPD forensic team found no foul play in the incident as of this time."

The post-mortem exam, or autopsy, conducted by the police's forensic team revealed that Manalo and Picar died of asphyxia by hanging, with negative results in pregnancy tests. The two were friends and active members of the school's Girl Scout organization.

Col Robert Baesa, Taguig police chief, affirmed that their investigation would persist. They plan to interview individuals acquainted with Manalo and Picar while awaiting the toxicology report on both victims. Forensic toxicology involves analyzing biological samples for toxins and providing crucial information about substances present in an individual's system.

A witness, identified as Danielle, 16, recounted seeing Manalo and Picar last at approximately 7:45 pm on Nov 10, claiming they were going home. However, it was later discovered through their Messenger group that the two did not return. Danielle located their lifeless bodies hanging with a rope tied around their necks in the Girls Scout office and promptly reported the incident to the security guards, who then contacted the Taguig police.

Despite the short time spent together, Manalo's classmates in SVNHS Section 8-Gold expressed their love and condolences in a heartfelt Facebook post. The Schools Division Office of Taguig and Pateros (SDO TaPat) issued a statement expressing sorrow over the loss and mourning the tragic incident. The office assured cooperation with the investigation and pledged to implement intervention programs and preventive measures in collaboration with partners to avoid such incidents in the future.