THE body of a six-year-old child who has been reported missing for a week was discovered Sunday, September 23 in a grassy portion of Kilometer 9, Purok 11-A, Matina Pangi, Davao City.

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Police Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum said construction worker Rico Jay Lauron Labao found the girl’s body at around 8:30 a.m., her neck and feet tied with electrical wire.

The body was already in an advanced state of decomposition.

Labao, 27, a resident of Morio-Morio in the same barangay, reported the discovery to Talomo Police Station.

The duty investigators together with the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) Investigator went to the crime scene and took the appropriate action.

The victim was later identified as Christine Angel Tino Laquinario, 6, and a resident of Morio-Morio Kilometer 8.5 Matina Pangi, Davao City. Her body was identified by her mother Jezalle Tino Loquinario.

According to the mother, her daughter had gone missing since 4 p.m. of September 17.

Asked whether there was a trace that the victim was possibly raped and what was the cause of death, Tagum said that forensic investigation is now being conducted by the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) from the Regional Crime Laboratory Office in Davao Region (RCLO 11).

The cadaver of the victim was brought to Angel Funeral Parlor, Torres Street Davao City for autopsy.