Missing 16-year-old found inside 40-foot deep hole on EDSA

A 16-year-old who has been missing for days has been found dead inside a deep excavation at the center island on EDSA near the North Triangle Common Station in Quezon City.

According to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras”, members of the Bureau of Fire Protection recovered the victim’s body from the 40-foot deep hole after repeated attempts.

Arlene Reano, the victim’s mother, said Reniel had been missing since Friday, August 12.

Their family is living at the center island, some 25 feet away from where they got their water supply.

“Maghuhugas na ako ng paa, pagdungaw ko po nakita ko 'yung tsinelas niya na pula. 'Yung sabon niya po, singsing, nakalagay sa bato….Naliligo po siguro tapos inatake ng epilepsy,” Arlene said.

(I was washing my feet when I saw his red slippers. His soap and ring were put on a nearby stone…Maybe he was taking a bath when his epilepsy attacked.)

The Quezon City Police District Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU) is now investigating how the victim fell.

“Kasi dyan sila kumukuha ng tubig. Posible pong naaksidente siya at nahulog dyan na walang nakakita. Aalamin po natin kung ito ba ay may mga tao dito. Kung posibleng may tumulak sa kanya,” PSS George Caluba, QCPD CIDU, said.

(They are getting their water supply here. It’s possible that the victim fell and no one noticed. We will investigate if someone witnessed the incident or if someone pushed him.)

QCPD CIDU will also identify if BF Corporation, the contractor of the construction project, will have liabilities for the tragic incident.

For its part, BF Corporation explained it was continuously monitoring the area to ensure public safety. The company also condoled with the victim’s family and vowed to extend assistance to them.

“Sinisigurado po namin lagi na ‘yung cover is in place and then may mga signage kaming naka-install, and then kumbaga mga after ilang days, unti-unti na naman pong nawawala, nire-replace na naman po uli namin ng panibago," BF Corp. Safety Officer Efren Aure said.

"Kina-cut nila using hacksaw plate or cutter para mapakinabangan as kalakal,” he added. 

(We always make sure that the cover is in place. We also have signages installed but after a few days, it is always being removed. We replace it but it will be cut using a hacksaw or cutter to be sold as metal scraps.)

Authorities immediately covered the hole after the body was recovered, the report said. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA News