Missing 12-year-old girl found dead in Malaybalay

The two arrested suspects, both miners, may have sexually abused the victim

THE 12-year-old girl who was reported missing last Thursday, March 1, was found dead over the weekend in Casisang, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

She was believed to have been raped before being killed.

Police identified the victim as Janice Bahenting, a grade six pupil

of Natid-asan Elementary School in Casisang.

Authorities found the victim’s body lying on the ground without lower undergarment at Patulangan, Sitio Kibarok in Barangay Casisang with her face smashed beyond recognition.

Initial investigation of the police said that prior to the incident, the victim was reported missing around 5:45 p.m. last Thursday.

Later on that day, her belongings and a sky blue short pants and a pair of blue slippers were unearthed on the road near from their house.

The police said witnesses positively identified the owner of the short pants and slippers as Generoso Talirongan.

Talirongan and Jose Ramil Quilobe, who worked as miners, were arrested on Friday, March 2, at Sitio Mabuhay, San Jose, Malaybalay City. They were detained at the Malaybalay police station.

Superintendent Lemuel Gonda, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO10), said investigators are still waiting for the medical report of the victim from the provincial crime laboratory office of Bukidnon.

But, Gonda said investigators have initially found indications that the victim was sexually assaulted before getting killed.

Suspects will likely face kidnapping and rape with homicide charges.