A 33-year-old tricycle driver has surrendered to police, and reportedly admitted killing and burning a 19-year-old female student in Nueva Vizcaya, authorities said.
The victim was first reported missing on February 11, 2026. On February 12, authorities confirmed that the burned body found in Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya was hers.
Police said the suspect burned the body to hide the crime. Investigators are now looking into whether the victim was assaulted sexually before she was killed and set on fire.
In the initial investigation, forensic experts found blood stains, hair follicles, and other DNA samples inside the vehicle that the suspect allegedly used to transport the victim’s body to Quezon.
The suspect and the victim’s family have not issued a statement, as of this writing.
Police have started preparing charges against the suspect.
