Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday said the death of a De La Salle University student was likely a case of suicide, based on preliminary findings.

"We still need the report of the final autopsy, but findings point to suicide," he said.

According to the secretary, the victim allegedly drank a liquid drain declogger mixed with milk tea — possibly to mask the corrosive taste. He reportedly tried to vomit the substance, but it had already caused severe internal damage, burning his organs as well as the skin on his face and chest.

Remulla also noted that an x-ray was unnecessary as half of his body were already molten by the cleaning substance affecting half of his upper body.

"He has nothing to do with that property at all [where his lifeless body was found]. The gate just happened to be open, so he went inside. It seems he took a tricycle from the resort he visited, got off at that nearby corner, and likely entered the first open gate he came across," he said.

"There are no gunshot wounds on his head or body, and no injuries on his legs or lower parts. There were also no signs of hazing. As hard as it is to accept, the evidence points to suicide," he added.