A quiet morning in Barangay Maniboc in Lingayen turned grim when residents discovered the lifeless body of a 17-year-old male student along Baywalk Road, in what police are now investigating as a possible hit-and-run incident.

At around 7:00 a.m., resident Dennis Benavidez Poblete, 50, was on his way to buy breakfast when he saw the body of a young man lying face down on the sand near the roadside. He immediately alerted authorities.

According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Junmar Gonzales, Lingayen chief of police, initial findings point to a hit-and-run based on the severe injuries sustained by the victim, identified as Vhinz Immanuel Pineda, a resident of Barangay Libsong West.

Gonzales said they are reviewing CCTV footage and other potential leads to identify the vehicle and driver responsible.

Meanwhile, Pineda’s family confirmed his identity and disappearance through a Facebook post. According to them, the teenager was last seen on Wednesday afternoon as he was heading to school, but he never returned home.

Authorities are appealing to the public, especially motorists and residents in the area, to come forward with any information that could help resolve the case. (Ahikam Pasion)