Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782003176831viber_image_2026-06-20_23-27-43-218.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>MANILA — A 20-year-old trans woman who had been reported missing for two days was found dead in an irrigation canal in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija.</p><p>The body of the victim, Bella Lutap, was discovered in Sitio Burnao, Barangay Del Pilar at around 3:40 p.m. Friday by a farmer who is also the father of her ex-boyfriend.</p><p>“Pag-aari nila itong lupa kaya noong dumalaw siya sa mga tanim na palay ay nakita niya ang nakalutang na bangkay at inireport kaagad niya sa kapulisan,” said PMaj. Nelson Sarmiento, chief of the Zaragoza Municipal Police Station.</p><p>A Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) examination revealed that stones had been tied to the victim’s body in an apparent attempt to keep it submerged in the canal.</p><p>Forensic investigators also found that Lutap died of manual strangulation.</p><p>Lutap had been missing since Wednesday.</p><p>Police backtracked the victim’s movements through CCTV footage, which showed that at around 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Lutap was picked up from her home in Barangay Cama Juan, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, by her 25-year-old ex-boyfriend, identified only as “Calvin.”</p><p>Another CCTV camera in Barangay Macarse captured Lutap riding on the back of Calvin’s motorcycle at around 12:07 a.m.</p><p>Calvin admitted picking up Lutap but claimed he later dropped her off at a street corner. However, he could not explain why he left her there.</p><p>According to investigators, Calvin had invited Lutap to discuss their relationship after they broke up nearly two weeks earlier. The meeting was supposed to take place in the presence of their friends.</p><p>“Base po sa mga witnesses na na-interview natin ay gusto raw makipagbalikan ng suspek doon sa biktima parang ayaw na po ata [ng biktima],” Sarmiento said.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o_c12e2t22c?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>Police said the suspect had arranged a gathering with friends in Barangay San Rafael and convinced Lutap that he would personally fetch and bring her to the meeting. Instead, she never arrived at the agreed location and the planned meeting did not push through.</div><p>“Ito pong suspek ay nag-set nga po ng pagkikita-kita kasama  mga kaibigan at mag-iinuman doon sa isang lugar sa Bgy. San Rafael, kaya itong si suspek nakumbinsi niya itong victim na siya po ang susundo at dadalhin sa pinag-usapang lugar kaya lang po hindi dinala ni suspek yung victim doon sa usapang lugar kaya hindi po natuloy ang paghaharap kasama mga kaibigan,” Sarmeindo added.</p><p>Police arrested Calvin, who denied any involvement in the killing but apologized to the victim’s family.</p><p>“Patawad po, sana mapatawad nila ako, hindi naman po mangyayari yun kung hindi ko dinala doon,” Calvin said.</p><p>Investigators noted multiple scratches on the suspect’s neck and arms, which they believed indicated Lutap fought back while she was being strangled.</p><p>“Kaninang umaga po dinala natin sa opisina ng SOCO at pinakuhanan po natin, pina-swab po natin para makakuha po ng   gagamitin para sa DNA,“ Sarmiento said.</p><p>Lutap and Calvin had been in a relationship for one year and seven months.</p><p>Police are looking into jealousy as the possible motive after learning that another person had reportedly been courting the victim.</p><p>Lutap’s mother said she had treated Calvin like her own son during their relationship. Now, she is demanding justice.</p><p>“Pagbayaran niya at aminin na niya kasi po hindi lang ganyan ginawa niya, pati kami pinapatay na niya sa hirap nararamdaman ko, yung hustiya po, aminin na niya,” said Marivic Lutap, Bella’s mother.</p><p>The suspect has been charged with murder and is being held at the Zaragoza Municipal Police Station. Bella is scheduled to be laid to rest on Thursday. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>OTHER NEWS:</strong></div><div><strong></strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/20/3-including-toddler-and-grandma-killed-in-batangas-family-massacre-1300">3, including toddler and grandma, killed in Batangas family massacre</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/20/is-the-new-land-in-sarangani-following-earthquake-safe-for-building-1718">Is the new land in Sarangani following earthquake safe for building? </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/17/dole-orders-angeles-collapsed-building-owner-contractor-to-pay-p11-million-liabilities-fines-1256">DOLE orders Angeles collapsed building owner, contractor to pay P11-million liabilities, fines </a><strong></strong></div>

<p>A 20-year-old trans woman who had been reported missing for two days was found dead in an irrigation canal in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija.</p>

A 20-year-old trans woman who had been reported missing for two days was found dead in an irrigation canal in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija.

Missing trans woman found dead in Nueva Ecija irrigation canal; ex-boyfriend charged with murder

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Missing trans woman found dead in Nueva Ecija irrigation canal; ex-boyfriend charged with murder

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 21, 2026 08:53 AM PHT

|

Updated June 21, 2026 11:44 AM PHT

Read More:

Crime

Trans woman

Love Affair

Murder

Nueva Ecija

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