Makati cops coordinate with funeral homes over abandoned casket
The Makati City Police Station said it has reached out to local funeral homes and distributors to trace the origin of the empty casket abandoned along Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue in Barangay Bel-Air early Friday, Aug. 7.
One of five caskets found in different parts of Metro Manila on Friday morning, Aug. 7, was discovered in front of the Carriedo Fountain in Sta. Cruz, Manila. The other caskets were found along Timog Avenue in Quezon City, Caloocan City, and Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City. (Photo from Manila Police District)
Police said the casket was discovered around 3:50 a.m. by a security officer from a nearby establishment. It was found obstructing part of the sidewalk.
Officers from Poblacion Sub-Station 6 responded, secured the area, and alerted the Investigation Unit, Station Explosives and Canine Unit (SECU), and Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO).
Investigation showed that the approximately six-foot-long casket bore three photographs of unidentified men and a red banner bearing the words, “Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Greedy Salot.”
Authorities immediately launched an investigation into what they described as an alarming incident, following the discovery of four other caskets in Sta. Cruz, Manila; Barangay 54 in Caloocan City; and Barangay South Triangle and Barangay Sta. Teresita in Quezon City.
“The Makati police are working closely with Barangay Bel-Air and local businesses to facilitate backtracking and the review of available CCTV footage in the vicinity,” it said.
“Outreach has also been made to local funeral homes and distributors to ascertain information regarding the origin of the empty casket,” it added.
Makati police said further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and urged anyone with information about the incident to report it to the Makati Police or the nearest police station.
“We understand that this is an unusual and unsettling sight for residents and workers in Makati City. We want to assure the public that the Makati Police are conducting an in-depth investigation to identify individuals liable for this cowardly act,” Makati CPS chief Col. Pedro Alagano Jr. said.
Earlier, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said its initial investigation showed that the caskets were deliberately abandoned by masked individuals aboard white and gray vans between 2 and 4 a.m. on Friday.
The discovery in several areas within a few hours prompted police units to secure the sites and examine the items. The incidents also drew attention because of the political messages attached to the caskets.