Missing man found dead

CEBU, Philippines - A man who had been reported missing for three days was found dead last Thursday afternoon in a secluded area in sitio Milagrosa Sambag, barangay San Vicente, Liloan town.

A foul smell led relatives to the decomposing body of Mark Anthony Vasquez, 33.

He was found about 100 meters away from his house at about 3:25 in the afternoon.

 SPO4 Alex Pepito, Liloan police investigator, said Vasquez was last seen by neighbors on January 16 at about 9:00 p.m.

Pepito suspected that Vaquez was primarily mauled before he was hit with a hard object in the face.

“Possibly gitabangan ug kulata o gibunalan ug gahi nga butang kay nalain man ug porma iyang nawong,” he said.

Near the chapel of the Medalla Milagrosa and a few meters from where the body was found, police recovered a disposable lighter owned by Vasquez as well as bloodstains.   

Police theorized that Vasquez could have been mauled in the site before he was hidden in the area.

Initial investigation disclosed that before he was killed, Vasquez acted as a referee in a basketball game in the barangay. He also played the game sometimes.

But during the game, he reportedly was partial to one team which could have angered some of the players of the opposing team.

“Kusog kuno ni mo-pabor sa duwa unya kung dunay lalis ipahunong dayon ang duwa unya ilabay ang bola,” Pepito said.

Police will investigate the persons whom Vasquez argued with last Monday during a basketball game.