TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — A thorough investigation and an intensified hot pursuit operation are currently being conducted by the Tagum City Police Station to capture the three men suspected to be killers of a 19-year-old female student in the early hours of Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Purok 3-A, La Filipina in this city.
According to Davao del Norte Provincial Police Office (DNPPO) spokesperson Police Major Anjanette Tirador, Tagum police have launched a deep investigation to swiftly apprehend the suspects.
Earlier, the victim, identified only as "Nicole," reportedly a student of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Manila, was found lifeless in her room, bearing multiple bruises and stab wounds on various parts of her body.
Police reports indicate that the victim had just recently returned home.
It was also revealed that the victim was alone in her room at the time, while her parents were in another room.
The family believes that robbery was the motive behind the crime, as several personal belongings of the victim, including her cellphone, tablet, ATM cards, and other items, were missing.
CCTV footage showed three men leaving the victim’s house.
Recovered at the crime scene were a dumbbell, a bolo (large knife), and other sharp objects believed to have been used in the killing. JPC, JRN