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POLICE are investigating the death of a woman, who was found dead by the shoreline in barangay Poblacion, San Remigio town, northern Cebu on Monday dawn.
The body of Monaliza Mantos Cabatana, 29, was reported by her 17-year-old female companion, who told police three men had tried to rape her.
The girl told police that she and Cabatana attended an outdoor disco and went to the shoreline past 3 a.m. on board a motorcycle driven by a friend.
Two male friends at a drinking session invited Cabatana to join them but she refused because she was already tipsy, the girl said.
The men went back to the disco leaving the two girls behind.
The girl said a man approached her asking to borrow her cellphone, but she declined saying she had none.
The man left then returned with two other men, who grabbed her, took her cellphone and covered her mouth.
The girl said the three men tried to rape her but she resisted and shouted, prompting the men to run away.
The girl said she then went to Cabatana and tried to wake her up but her friend didn?t respond.
The girl sought help from the people near the area.
Police arrived and brought Cabatana to a hospital in Bogo City where she was declared dead by attending physicians.
Senior Insp. Rolly Lauron, chief of San Remegio police, said the physician found out that Cabatana may have died because of injuries to the spinal cord.
Lauron said the body will undergo an autopsy to verify the cause of death.
The victim?s friend remains a vital witness. CORRESPONDENT JUCELL MARIE P. CUYOS
