BACOLOD CITY – The body of a suspected “salvage” or summary execution victim with a sign saying “I love drugs” placed on his remains was discovered in Victorias City, Negros Occidental Sunday.
Local police have yet to identify the victim who was described to be slender, fair, 5’5,” and around 45- to 60-years-old.
Victorias City police chief Police Lt. Col. Eduardo Corpuz said the body was found by a barangay tanod (watchman) who was on his way to the barangay hall in Canetown Subdivision, Barangay 19-A.
Corpuz said the victim’s face was covered with plastic and packaging tape and his both legs were tied.
He said post-mortem examination conducted by the City Health Office showed that the victim had cracked ribs, an indication that he was severely beaten, and his two ears were cut off. The victim sustained two bullet wounds in the ears with exit wounds in the neck.
Corpuz believes that the victim might have been dumped in the area and was killed somewhere. He said it is possible that the victim was not from Victorias City since there has been no missing individual reported in the past few days.
Corpuz said a placard that says “I love drugs” was left on the victim’s body. He said that the perpetrators left a note indicating a name of a woman, whom they threatened as their next target, but police withheld her name.
Corpuz said they have already talked to the woman and told them that she doesn’t know the victim. “We’re still establishing the connection of this person with the victim and the suspects,” he added.
Although the victim was being linked to illegal drugs, Corpuz said they cannot yet tell if the incident can be considered drug-related. Corpuz said they need to identify the victim first to establish the motive, thus investigation is ongoing.
Corpuz said he already called the adjacent police stations to check any reported missing persons in their areas, but there was no development yet. He called the citizens to contact him at 09393581049 if they have loved ones who went missing.