Foreigner found sitting dead on sofa

CEBU, Philippines - A foreign national was found dead Wednesday morning, sitting inside a rented boarding house in Firecrash, Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City.

The foreigner was identified as Elmer Manson, an American national from Illinois, USA and currently residing in the same barangay.

Based on the initial investigation of Police Officer Luisito Ernie of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, the incident happened around 3 a.m. that day.

A certain Vincent Planteras,  a trisikad driver and occupant of the same house, narrated that he noticed Manson sitting on the sofa in the wee hours of the morning.

Planteras, thinking that Manson was taking a short sleep, attempted to call his attention but the latter did not make any signs of response.

Due to the disturbing incident, the alarmed Planteras called Filoteo Inot, 57, the landlord of the house and reported that the American national did not move nor respond to him.

This prompted Inot to call the police led by Senior Police Officer 1 Roger Uriarte.

Ernie added that there was no open wound and contusions found in the body of the foreigner. An angle of foul play has been discounted as well by authorities.

The body was brought to the Lapu-Lapu District Hospital and was declared dead on arrival.

The cadaver was brought to Surelife Funeral Homes and was subjected for autopsy to determine exact cause of death.  (FREEMAN)