A goat herder discovered a newborn baby’s body beneath a drainage tunnel along Diversion Road in Lanton, Apopong, Saturday morning.
Authorities confirmed the baby was newly born because the umbilical cord remained attached, indicating the infant may have been abandoned immediately after birth.
The herder noticed a foul odor coming from the canal and quickly checked, finding the lifeless baby among piles of floating garbage.
Investigators arrived at around 8:00 a.m. and found the body 30 to 40 feet below the tunnel filled with debris.
Police believe someone intentionally threw or left the baby under the drainage area, which shocked residents who quickly called for help.
Scene of the Crime Operatives examined the location, while barangay officials assisted in retrieving the body from the deep canal.
The remains were brought to a nearby funeral home for proper documentation and autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to identify the baby’s mother and learn the motive behind the heartbreaking abandonment incident.
Police urge residents with any relevant information to coordinate with local authorities to help solve the case and bring justice.
