Crime lab says cop died of drowning

CEBU, Philippines - Chief of Crime Laboratory in Cebu City Police office Supt. Nestor Sator said that drowning was the cause of death of PO1 Danilo Playda, whose body was found underwater off the reclamation area in Mandaue City the other day.

Based on their examination of the body, they did not see any penetrating injuries such as gunshot wounds and stab wounds. While there were scratches on his face these were determined to be nibble marks from fish.

Sator added that water was found inside the lungs of the fatality.

They estimated he had been dead for more than 24 hours before he was found by a man diving for fish who then notified the Maritime Police.

Sator also said Playda had not been drinking before he drowned.

“Among giabli ang tiyan pero wala man sad nanimaho og bino diin sign nga siya nag-inom sa wa pa siya mamatay,” Sator said.

Meanwhile, Chief Insp. George Ylanan, chief of Investigation and Detective Management Branch, said that they are still investigating the circumstances why the victim drowned and why he was there at the time.

Playda had just undergone an appendectomy last Friday.

Ylanan described the place where Playda found as a dark place, quite far from houses.

“Mao ni amung imbistigahan karon nganung naabot siya didtong dapita nga ngitngit man kaayo. Mag-unsa man siya didto?” Ylanan said.

So far they do not have any leads to show Playda had reason to commit suicide. 

Playda was assigned to the IDMB and presently detailed as a bodyguard of Cebu City councilor Jun Pe, although he has been on leave following complaints of appendicitis and receiving an appendectomy. – Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc/BRP (THE FREEMAN)