Cops probe boy’s hanging death in Muntinlupa City

From inquirer.net:

MANILA, Philippines — A 10-year-old boy was found dead inside his house in Muntinlupa City on Monday night.

A police report said the body of Rico Bao Roda, a Grade 3 student, was found hanging from a yard wall at Phase 3, Block 45, Lot 51, Southville in Barangay Poblacion at 7 p.m.

His sister Rosemarie, who found the boy, told investigators the 10-year-old was found with a bag handle tied around his neck. She said she saw him play with the bag handle minutes before.

The report said Rosemarie, with the help of a neighbor, rushed the boy to the Alabang Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival.

Rosemarie told police she saw Roda remove and play with the same bag handle upon arrival from school at 6:20 p.m.

Rosemarie said Roda removed the bag handle after complaining about a teacher who allegedly scolded him at school.

She added that before she found her brother dead, a certain Andy Perez arrived at their house and complained that Roda had been accosting Perez’s son.

She said she looked for her brother in the living room and in his room to inform him about Perez’s visit but did not find him.

She conducted a search again at 7 p.m., and ended up finding her brother in the yard.

Senior Supt. Alan Nobleza, officer in charge of the local police, said on Tuesday, they were not concluding Roda’s death a suicide yet.

“The death is still under investigation,” he said. SFM