THE Scene of Crime Operation team did not find any sign of foul play in the death of a 10-year-old boy whose body was found inside a fire officer’s car in Balamban town on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.

The boy’s body was discovered by Fire Officer 1 Orland Paul Romero inside his car, which was parked outside the town’s fire station.

Police Major Christian Torres, Balamban Police Station chief, said the boy’s mother refused to subject the body to an autopsy. She opted to bury her son a day after the body was found.

The police investigation continues despite the initial results showing that Romero is not responsible for the boy’s death.

“We are still investigating together with our Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch. We don’t see any negligence or any intention to kill the boy. For now, we are still investigating the fire officer,” Torres said.

The investigation will focus on how the boy ended up in Romero’s vehicle when its lock system is automatic.

There is no CCTV camera in the area where Romero’s car was parked, which would have helped the police find out what happened.

Torres suspects that after Romero parked his car, the child got inside and was not able to get out after the car doors were locked.

According to Torres, there were reports that the child, a Grade One pupil, often stole from people in the neighborhood.

The police suspect that the child planned to steal from the fire officer as his things inside the car were in disarray when the policemen arrived.

Police Regional Office 7 Chief Debold Sinas said he was satisfied with the Balamban Police’s investigation.

But if the victim’s parents would complain, the police are ready to conduct an autopsy.

“If the child’s parents want further investigation, then we will have the body exhumed. As of now we are checking if there is any negligence on the part of the fireman,” said Sinas.

For his part, Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Roderick Mariano said they still need to further investigate Romero, saying he doubts the fire officer’s statement that the child got locked inside his car. (from AYB of Superbalita Cebu/RSR)