Body, severed arm found in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The body of a suspected victim of summary execution and a severed left arm were found in separate places in Manila yesterday.

The first to be discovered by roving barangay watchmen at around 4 a.m. was the body of a man wrapped in a white blanket and dumped near the corner of Tayuman and Anacleto streets in Sta. Cruz.

The man was described as between 25 and 35 years old, at least 5’5” tall, of medium build and sporting long hair. He was clad in a white shirt and denim shorts. A message written on a piece of cardboard identified him as a robber. The cardboard was placed on top of his body.

The victim’s head was wrapped with masking tape, while his feet and hands were tied with nylon string. His neck bore ligature marks, an indication that he was strangled to death, according to police investigators.

Three hours later, a left arm was found by construction workers renovating the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sampaloc.

The arm, which was cut off from the shoulder, was wrapped in brown packaging tape and was already in the early stages of decomposition. Police Officer 2 Gerry Amores said the finger pads were sliced off.

Last Thursday, the body of another suspected summary execution victim was found stuffed in a nylon sack in front of the Maynilad office in Tondo.

The man was described as between 35 and 40 years old, at least 5’4” tall, of medium build, and with tattoos of “BET” on the right shoulder, “STAR” and a tiger’s face on the left shoulder.

The victim’s feet were bound with black electric cord, while his head was wrapped with packaging tape. Ligature marks were noted on the victim’s neck, which was tied with a blue nylon cord. His mouth was gagged with a rag.

The victim was wearing a silver ring with the name “Janet” engraved on the inside.

Last month, a head, two left legs and a torso were also found in separate places in Manila. Police have yet to identify the victims.