MISSING 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL FOUND DEAD IN CAVE

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Canlubang, Calamba, Laguna – A 7-year-old girl who was reported missing on Sunday was found dead in a cave in Lucban, Quezon.

The victim,  a Grade 2 elementary school student, was identified by her mother who told police that her daughter failed to return home since Saturday night.

Police are investigating if the child was sexually molested as her underwear was missing.

An uncle of the victim said he was searching for her niece the next day in the forested area in Bgy. Palola when he saw a man coming out of a cave with a crowbar on hand around 10 a.m. on Sunday.

The uncle waited for the man to leave before entering the cave, where he found the victim hogtied.

Suspect Noel Diaz, 33, was arrested in a follow-up operation.Authorities said the body of the victim will be subjected to a post-mortem examination and autopsy to determine the cause of her death.