10-year-old mentally ill boy found dead in Dagupan City river

The body of a 10-year-old boy who had a mental disorder was found floating on a river in Barangay Pogo Chico in Dagupan City.

According to King Guevarra’s report on “24 Oras Weekend,” CCTV footage showed the victim, Eden Esguerra, running past a group of boys while naked a day before he was found dead.

Esguerra ran toward a shop in the area. Later on, the group dragged and carried him to where they were stationed before.

After this, Esguerra’s family reported that he was missing.

On Friday morning, the victim’s body was found floating on the river.

Esguerra’s family said the victim has a mental disorder and that they suspect he was bullied.

“Masakit lang po kasi sinabi na nung mama niya na napanood na ‘yung sa CCTV tapos ginawa siyang, parang na-bully ba? Kasi hindi naman siya ‘yung mapanakit tapos pag nasaktan ‘yan sir hindi naman siya ‘yung [lalaban],” Bianca, the vicitm’s relative, said.

(It hurts because his mother said she watched the CCTV and it seemed like he was bullied. He [Esguerra] isn’t dangerous. When he gets hurt, he doesn’t fight back.)

In an interview, the children who were caught on the CCTV denied the accusation.

However, it was clearly shown in the footage that one of the children threw something at the victim.

The victim's body will be autopsied.

“Bale iimbestigahan natin kasi mga bata nga ‘yung involved. In-endorse na natin ‘yan sa ano natin, sa Women and Children Protection Desk,” Police Lieutenant Nario Cahigas, the investigation officer of the Dagupan Police, said.

(We will investigate this as children are involved. We have already endorsed the case to our Women and Children Protection Desk.) — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News