Girl, 5, found dead

LAGUNA, Philippines – A five-year-old girl, reported missing by her parents two weeks ago, was found dead in Calamba City here Monday.

Princess Allison Gravino was found by construction worker Melchor Garcia, 39, along the riverbank in Barangay Lawa. Garcia told police the body was decomposing when he found the girl at around 1:30 p.m.

The girl’s father, Glenn Gravino, identified the body as that of his daughter, who was reported missing on Dec. 23, Police Officer 3 Aurora Fabroquez said.

Fabroquez said a man identified as Danny Sambrano, 44, was arrested on Saturday for allegedly attempting to kidnap Gravino in Barangay Real, also in Calamba City.

A six-year-old boy, the victim’s cousin, told police he saw Sambrano and four other persons take the victim before she went missing on Dec. 23.

Police are looking for the four other persons, among them Sambrano’s partner, Analisa Saturno, 41; her two siblings, Lauro and Hermie, and an unidentified man.

Fabroquez said murder charges were being readied against Sambrano, who denied the allegations against him, and the four other suspects for Gravino’s death.