Woman's body found stuffed in suitcase in Taguig creek

The body of an unidentified woman was found stuffed inside a suitcase floating in a canal in Barangay Tanyag, Taguig City, authorities said.

According to a “24 Oras Weekend” report by Jomer Apresto, residents discovered the suitcase in the canal after a waste picker noticed it caught on water hoses.

The suitcase, which was wrapped in a black plastic bag, was emitting a foul odor, prompting the waste picker to seek help from barangay officials to retrieve it from the water.

Barangay watchmen later opened the suitcase and discovered the woman’s body inside.

“Nung binuksan ko bandang taas, nakita ko na 'yung dito sa gilid. 'Yun o, umatras [ako], sabi ko tao,” barangay watchman Manny Albor said.

(When I opened the upper portion, I saw something on the side. I backed away and said it was a person.)

He said the body had been wrapped in several layers of black plastic, blankets and a sack.

Barangay officials said they have yet to determine whether the victim was a resident of the area, noting that no missing person had been reported in the community.

“Araw-araw nagche-check ako ng blotter book. Wala pong reported missing person,” said Mel Enriquez, deputy chief of the barangay security force.

(I check the blotter book every day. There has been no reported missing person.)

Police have yet to identify the victim, who was estimated to be between 35 and 40 years old.

Initial investigation showed that the woman had the name “Wal" and "ter” tattooed on her right leg, with an image of the Three Stars and a Sun in between. She also had a tribal tattoo on her arm.

Police said the body may have been swept into Barangay Tanyag by strong currents following heavy rains on Thursday night.

Authorities have coordinated with police stations in nearby cities and other units to determine whether any reported missing persons match the victim’s description.

“We sounded the alarm sa other stations natin sa nearby cities natin or other units. Nag-alarm kaagad kami through our operation center,” Police Col. Julius Añonuevo, Taguig City police chief, said.

(We sounded the alarm with our other stations in nearby cities and other units. We immediately issued an alert through our operation center.)

Police are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the woman’s cause of death. — MCG, GMA News