VICTORIA, Tarlac — What was supposed to be a regular ride home from school turned into a nightmare for a local family after a six-year-old girl was found dead in a grassy mango orchard in Barangay San Agustin here on Friday night, June 19.
The victim, identified as Janella Venzon Mananghaya, affectionately called “Ella” by her family, was discovered lifeless at around 10:00 PM bearing horrific signs of physical and sexual abuse.
Local police have since taken a 16-to-17-year-old male minor from Davao under custody. The suspect, known only as “Angelo,” was a trusted family acquaintance who had been living with the victim’s grandmother for nearly four years.
According to the victim’s grandmother, Rosita Venzon, the suspect picked up Ella from San Agustin School at around 2:30 PM on Friday using a kolong-kolong (a modified motorcycle with a side carrier), which served as her school transport. Angelo had allegedly just come from a birthday party and was intoxicated at the time.
When the child failed to return home hours later, anxious relatives began looking for the suspect. Family members confronted Angelo, begging him to reveal where the child was, but he repeatedly denied any involvement.
Desperate for answers, the family reviewed nearby closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, appealed for help on social media, and even consulted a local fortuneteller who claimed the child’s body was hidden among thick trees. They also sought the immediate assistance of the Victoria Municipal Police Station.
Following a targeted search and follow-up operation, responding police officers were led to a farm area where they discovered Ella’s body. Initial examinations revealed severe injuries, including strangulation marks on her neck, a hematoma on her face due to heavy punches, fractured lips, and signs of sexual assault.
“Diko sukat akalain na magagawa niya ito sa aking apo,” a tearful Venzon said, expressing shock over the betrayal by someone they had sheltered for years.
The tragedy struck just a month before Ella was set to celebrate a milestone. Her family shared that the young girl was highly enthusiastic about celebrating her upcoming 7th birthday on July 21, 2026.
The Victoria PNP stated that the suspect could face charges of rape with homicide. However, because the suspect is a minor, police confirmed he was handled in accordance with Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. He was immediately turned over to social welfare authorities for proper intervention and disposition.
Meanwhile, investigators have requested a comprehensive medico-legal examination by the Tarlac Provincial Forensic Unit to determine the exact cause of death.
The Victoria Municipal Police Station extended its deepest sympathies to the bereaved family and assured the public of a fair, impartial, and thorough investigation as they coordinate closely with the victim’s relatives and concerned legal agencies. With reports from Ann Pamintuan of Tarlac Gazette
