A 16-year-old student was found dead inside a drainage area at a construction project site in Barangay Rosary Heights 10, Cotabato City, on Sunday morning, March 8, authorities said.
The victim was later identified as Datu Ali Ganoy, a resident of Purok Mapayag in Malagapas, Rosary Heights 10.
According to the Cotabato City Police Office, personnel from Police Station 2 received a call from a concerned citizen around 8 a.m. reporting the discovery of a body at the project site. Police immediately dispatched patrol officers and investigators to verify the report.
Responding officers, led by Police Captain Anuar M. Mambatao, confirmed the presence of a body inside a drainage structure within the construction area.
Initial police findings indicated no visible signs of foul play on the victim’s body. However, authorities stressed that the exact cause of death has yet to be determined and remains under investigation.
Investigators from the Philippine National Police Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) were deployed to the area to conduct a thorough examination of the scene and gather possible evidence that could shed light on the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
Police said the victim’s identity was initially unknown when the body was first discovered but was later confirmed to be Ganoy following verification by authorities.
Authorities are now coordinating with the victim’s family and continuing their investigation to determine how the student ended up in the drainage at the construction site.
Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.