MANILA (UPDATED) — A human fetus was found Tuesday in the East Departure Restroom of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City.
Initial reports indicate that a cleaning staff member discovered the fetus wrapped in a blood-soaked napkin in one of the women’s restrooms at NAIA 1.
The MIAA Airport Police Department (MIAA-APD) and the MIAA Medical Team, led by Dr. Donita Arnesto, confirmed that the contents of the blood-stained napkin tissue were indeed a one-month-old fetus.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun commented online that it would be challenging to determine the exact age of the fetus.
“Four weeks in utero, first trimester, hindi pa mukhang tao (a fetus at that stage would not look human),” she said.
Dr. Fortun suggested that the fetus might not have been intentionally left in the restroom and could have resulted from a spontaneous natural abortion or miscarriage, adding that the mother might not have been aware of the situation.
“Eh [kung] hindi naman viable yung fetus (What if the fetus wasn’t viable anyway)?” she noted, emphasizing that even if the mother is identified, it would be difficult to establish intentionality.
Abortion is illegal and taboo in the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country.
The remains were transported by MIAA-APD to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Police Station 1 (NAIA PS 1) for appropriate action and disposition.
The Philippine National Police Scene of the Crime Operatives (PNP SOCO) are also on the scene to conduct a forensic investigation.
A joint investigation is underway by NAIA Police Station 1, the Airport Police Department, and Sub Station 8 to locate the mother.