Man's body found inside burnt car's compartment

MABALACAT, Pampanga - The charred remains of a man, believed to be Filipino-Chinese and whose hands and feet were tied, were found inside a car set ablaze at a subdivision here last Tuesday.

Local senior fire officer Rodolfo Baluyut said one Cecille Guinto called up the fire station at about 8:50 p.m. last Tuesday to report a burning Mitsubishi Galant Super Saloon at Cashmere Subdivision here.

Firemen, who put out the blaze in 10 minutes, were surprised to find the charred body of a man inside the car's luggage compartment. The body was burned beyond recognition.

Police investigators said the victim's hands and feet were tied with copper wire, his skull apparently bashed, and his abdomen bearing a bullet wound. Lacerations were also apparent on the torso of the victim, described as about five feet, seven inches tall.

Senior Superintendent Abner Dimabuyu, local police chief, said the unburned rear portion of the car, with license plate UFC-771, revealed its maroon color.

Found inside the car were partially burned checks, a phone book, receipts of various textile firms and other documents with Chinese characters.

A check with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) revealed that the car, a 1995 model, belonged to one Mary Ann Talens of Dapitan st., Quezon City two years ago, before its ownership was transferred to one Edison Co of Binondo, Manila.

Witnesses claimed that several persons were seen alighting from the car before it was burned. Gasoline was apparently doused on the victim and the car's interior.

The STAR called up one Marie Reyes of Caniogan, Pasig City who was listed in the recovered phone book. She identified Co as the owner of a Mitsubishi Galant which fit the description of the burnt car. However, she could not recall the plate number.

Reyes said Co was an owner of a textile firm in Navotas, Metro Manila, who supplied her with garments for her family business. She described Co as Filipino-Chinese and about 33 years old.

Investigators were reported to have talked with Co's wife who was quoted as saying that she had not seen Co since 5 p.m. last Tuesday. Probers, however, could not still say whether the charred body was Co's.

As of noon yesterday, Dimabuyu said probers could not yet ascertain the identity of the victim whose remains were brought to Funeraria Pangilinan in Angeles City.