Fetus found floating off Leyte coast

TACLOBAN CITY — Authorities are investigating the discovery of a female fetus found floating in the coastal waters of Barangay Cabul-an in Capoocan, Leyte, on Thursday morning, as they work to identify its mother and determine how it ended up in the sea.

The fetus was discovered at 7:45 a.m. by a farmer and resident of Barangay Cabul-an, while he was bathing along the shoreline.

Based on the report of the local police, Aborita noticed what appeared to be a fetus submerged in the water and immediately reported the matter to barangay officials.

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READ: Dead fetus found in Tagaytay condominium sewage facility

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The officials retrieved the remains and promptly informed the Capoocan Municipal Police Station.

Police officers immediately proceeded to the village, about 10 kilometers from the town proper, to verify the report and conduct an investigation.

Upon examination, authorities confirmed that the remains were those of a female fetus. Police said the body bore lacerations believed to have been caused by fish or other marine creatures after it had been in the water.

Personnel from the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) were called to process the scene and conduct an initial forensic examination.

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Based on the initial assessment, the fetus was estimated to be between zero and six months old, and police said further examination would be needed to determine its exact gestational age.

After the forensic investigation, Cabul-an village chairperson Anita  Niemes arranged for the fetus to be placed in an improvised coffin before it was buried at the village cemetery.

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As part of the investigation, barangay officials in Cabul-an and neighboring coastal villages have been asked to coordinate in identifying women who may have recently been pregnant.

Authorities said this may help establish the mother’s identity and shed light on the circumstances surrounding the incident./coa

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