2 students found dead in Taguig school

MANILA, Philippines —Two students were found dead in an office of the Signal Village National High School in Taguig City on Friday night.

The bodies of Mary Nicole Picar, 15, a Grade 10 student, and Irish Sheen Manalo, 13, a Grade 8 student, were reportedly found lifeless on the third floor of the school’s Magsaysay Building at past 10 p.m.

A witness, reported to be a 16-year-old student, said she last saw the girls at around 7:45 p.m. and they told her they were about to head home, according to the Southern Police District.

The witness told police she learned through a Messenger group chat that the victims never got home. She said she searched for the victims and found their bodies.

The witness reported the incident to the guards on duty at the school.

In a Facebook post, Rhea Manalo, sought help to find the truth behind the death of her cousin.

“Our family is asking and begging for your help – to all the classmates, teachers, and friends of Irish Sheen Manalo… come forward and tell the truth,” the post read.

Rhea alleged that the police removed the girls’ bodies without the scene being examined by police Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) personnel.

The elder Manalo, who believes that her cousin’s death was not a suicide, urged the city government to investigate the incident.

Rhea described the school as “uncooperative” and claimed the school told her that no closed-circuit television camera in the school was working.

“My cousin was an honor student and part of the (Girl Scouts of the Philippines). She’s at Grade 8, Gold Section. She would not dare kill herself. We are still waiting for the autopsy results as of this post,” Rhea said.

Police have yet to release information on the possible motive behind the victims’ deaths.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) said its Schools Division Office is coordinating with SOCO in the investigation.

“We will let you know once we have an official report from SOCO,” DepEd spokesman Michael Poa said.

He added that  the school is also coordinating with the victims’ families to extend assistance. –  Elizabeth Marcelo

If you or someone you know needs help, the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline can be reached through the following hotlines: toll-free Luzon-wide landline (1553), Globe/TM (0966-351-4518 and 0917-899-8727), or Smart/Sun/TNT (0908-639-2672).