ORMOC CITY– The body of a nine-year-old girl who went missing at the height of Tropical Depression “Opong” was recovered along the seawaters of Barangay Marsabaras, Almagro, Samar on Friday morning, September 27.
Police said the victim, a resident of Sitio Banog, Barangay Viga in Maripipi, Biliran, was reported missing at around 2 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, during the storm’s onslaught in the island municipality of Maripipi.
According to the Almagro Municipal Police Station, a local resident identified only as “Rey,” 45, of Barangay Magsaysay, reported at about 2:20 p.m. on the same day that he had discovered a floating body in the seawaters of Marsabaras. The girl’s remains were undressed, bloated, and in an early stage of decomposition.
Authorities immediately coordinated with the local Rural Health Unit to examine the cadaver for identifying marks. All barangays in Almagro were also alerted for information on any missing persons.
At about 5:30 p.m., the victim’s mother, identified only as “Lily,” confirmed that the recovered body was her daughter. The child’s remains were later transported back to Maripipi, Biliran for proper disposition and burial.
(ROBERT DEJON)
