BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The lifeless body of a senior high school student who had been missing for six days was found Thursday morning in a river in Baguio City.
The body of 17-year-old Vaughn Carl Dicang, which has already started decomposing, was identified by his cousin, Willner.
He was recovered in a river near Balacbac Bridge.
Vaughn’s brother, Van Dicang — also Middle Quirino Hill barangay chairman — believes the boy's death is not connected to drugs.
“As of the moment, parang holdup lang, kasi walang cellular phone,” he said. “Bata ‘yan, di marunong mag-drugs.”
Vaughn was a Grade 12 student at the University of Baguio Science High School
“We have already requested for an investigation,” Barangay Chairman Dicang said as he thanked everyone who helped the family find his younger brother, who had been missing since September 1, Baguio City's Charter Day.
According to Baguio City Police Office Station 10, an investigation into the Vaughn's death is still ongoing.
Dicang is the third missing youth found dead in recent weeks.
On Wednesday, 14-year-old Reynaldo de Guzman was also found dead in a creek in Gapan, Nueva Ecija. He sustained around 30 stab wounds and his head was covered in packaging tape and cloth.
Last week, the body of his companion 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz was recovered in a funeral parlor in Caloocan City.
He was killed in an alleged shootout with cops, a narrative that an autopsy and a forensic examination have cast doubt on. — with reports by Gaea Katreena Cabico in Manila