A TEENAGER believed to be raped was found dead in Sipalay River along Campisang Bridge at Barangay Mambaroto in Sipalay City on Friday, January 3, 2020.

Authorities identified the victim as Jeralyn Casipong, 17, of Sitio Cambogui-ot at Barangay Camindangan in the said southern Negros Occidental locality.

Dionelo Bogtae, head of the Sipalay Emergency Assistance and Rescue Services (Sears), said two fisherfolk saw the victim's body stuck at the cemented base of the bridge.

Bogtae said upon retrieving the body, it was found out that she was the teenager who has been missing for three days.

"The victim's body was already bloated," he said, adding that she was half-naked.

Investigation showed the victim went to Barangay Mambaroto to visit a relative there on December 31, 2019.

The victim had a drinking session with some friends. She then asked permission to leave for a while to buy something.

Bogtae said the victim failed to return. But, her relatives thought she just went home to Barangay Camindangan.

No other injuries were found in the body of the victim.

Bogtae, however, said it seems that she was intentionally placed and hidden from where she was seen.

She might have been raped as all her undergarments were removed. Only her t-shirt was left, Bogtae said.

"It is less possible that she drowned alone since the water level at the river during that time was low," he added.

Authorities have yet to wait for the autopsy result to determine the cause of her death.

Bogtae said those who joined the victim in a drinking session were also invited to the police station for investigation.