MANILA, Philippines - A fourth-year high school student was found dead Wednesday in Antipolo City, apparently a victim of rape.
Senior Superintendent Rolando Anduyan, Rizal police director, said the body of Abegail Arguilles, 16, was found at an unlit and grassy lot in Barangay Inarawan at around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Anduyan said Arguilles, a student of the Antipolo National High School, had multiple stab wounds, was strangled with a piece of cloth, and was naked from the waist down.
Anduyan said he was still awaiting the report of scene of the crime operatives to determine whether the high school coed was raped.
Anduyan said they were now looking for a construction worker who, according to witnesses, was seen leaving the area before Arguilles’ body was found.
Arguilles’ mother Felisa said she would wait for her daughter at a street corner where she would disembark from a passenger jeepney from school every day.
But last Wednesday night, Felisa said she arrived late at the street corner and was disturbed not to find her there.
Mrs. Arguilles sought the help of Superintendent Rodino Elfa, Antipolo City police chief, who later received a report that a female teenager was found dead in a secluded area in Barangay Inarawan.
Mrs. Arguilles subsequently identified the slain teenager as her daughter.
Anduyan said the victim could have fought off her attacker, as there were signs of a struggle in the crime scene.
He said the name of the construction worker cropped up after Elfa and his men talked to residents in the area.