CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Authorities have launched an investigation after a fetus believed to be between four and seven months old was discovered near a garbage area of an apartment complex in Barangay Carmen on Tuesday, March 3, alarming residents and raising concerns about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to initial reports, the fetus was found by a garbage collector in a waste disposal area within a subdivision in Upper Carmen. It had reportedly been placed inside a jar and enclosed in a box before being discarded.
Residents of the apartment complex were shocked upon learning about the discovery and immediately alerted local authorities.
Officials from the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) in Barangay Carmen took custody of the remains and coordinated with an embalmer to examine the contents of the container.
Susan Llanares, BCPC focal person, said the condition of the fetus suggested that the pregnancy may not have ended naturally.
“When I asked the embalmer to open it, what I saw didn’t appear normal. It looked like it had been compressed. It was heartbreaking to see the condition of the baby. Even though it was still a fetus, it was innocent,” Llanares said.
Initial assessment estimated the fetus to be around four to five months old, although some earlier accounts from residents suggested it may have been older. Authorities have yet to determine the exact gestational age and the gender of the fetus.
After confirming that the fetus showed no signs of life, BCPC personnel arranged for a proper burial at the city memorial park to ensure the remains were handled with dignity.
Llanares said the burial site may be visited by the family should they later decide to come forward.
“If the family wants to visit or if they feel remorse and wish to see the child, they may coordinate with our office at the BCPC Barangay Carmen,” she said.
Local police are continuing their investigation to identify the mother and determine the circumstances behind the incident. Authorities have appealed to residents in the area to cooperate and provide any information that could help identify who may have abandoned the fetus.
Despite the ongoing probe, officials said they are not currently planning to file charges against the mother, emphasizing instead the need for compassion and support for women who may be facing difficult pregnancies.
Community leaders also called on parents and families to be more attentive to young women who may be dealing with pregnancy-related challenges.
“We also ask parents to watch over their daughters. If we notice that they are pregnant, we should not blame them but instead guide and support them on what to do,” Llanares said.
Authorities are encouraging pregnant women experiencing personal, financial, or emotional difficulties to seek assistance from local government offices and community organizations rather than resort to desperate measures.