3 bodies found in Pasig; 4 charged for murder

MANILA, Philippines – Three unidentified male bodies believed to be victims of summary execution were found in different places in Pasay City early morning yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Raul Petrasanta, Pasay police chief, said the first body was discovered along Roxas Boulevard in front of Seafront Garden about 2:10 a.m. along the boundary of Parañaque and Pasay.

Police said the victim was between 30 and 35 years old, has dark complexion, of medium build, and stands 5’5” in height. He was clad in a black tank top, green shorts, and was barefooted.

Initially described as Mr. X, the victim has several tattoos all over the body, the most striking of which was the “BCJ 32” marking on his left arm. BCJ stands for batang city jail, a gang of jailbirds.

Based on initial investigation Mr. X died of suffocation “due to the transparent tape rolled over (his) mouth.” The back of his head also bore injuries, which police said appeared to have resulted from a hard blow. His feet and hand were tied at the back through the use of tape. Twenty-five minutes after Mr. X was found, another body was found dumped off in Dominga street Pasay City. The victim, initially described as Mr. Y, was between 40 and 45 years old and stands 5’9” in height.

Mr. Y has multiple gunshot wounds all over his body, according to the police. His hands and feet were tied also with black and white electric cord and his head was wrapped in a black plastic garbage bag.

Investigators said Mr. Y, who looked like a Chinese mestizo, has no tattoo on his body or any marking that would signify that he has already been jailed before. The third body was seen in Aurora Boulevard near Sgt. Mariano Public Cemetery.

Mr. Z’s face was wrapped in a similar adhesive tape used on Mr. X and his hands and feet were also tied at the back using the same material.

Like Mr. X, the body also bore tattoos, the most notable was the “Bahala na Gang” marking on his back. Bahala na Gang is also one of the infamous brotherhoods formed in jails. Mr. Z was clad in red t-shirt and six-pocket denim jeans. He was described between 25 and 30 years old, 5’2” in height, dark complexion, and of regular build.

As of this writing, the bodies are in Rizal Funeraria Homes for autopsy.

In a related development, four workers of Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) have been charged with murder for the death of Mr. Y.

The suspects were identified by police investigators as Angelo Ginete, Joy Mozo, Luther Tamayo, and Rene Gaudan.

They were arrested after a witness claimed to have seen their vehicle dumping “something” at Dominga street at about a similar time when the second body was discovered.

The witness, a 22-year-old call center agent, told The STAR that he was heading home when he saw a silver vehicle stopped by the area and “threw something.” He said he was not sure what was that “something” and did not dare go near the place because of fear for his security.

When the vehicle passed, he said he saw the body and immediately called the attention of a barangay kagawad who was near the area.

“I am not saying they are the killers I am only stating what I saw,” he said.

The witness said he did not see the vehicle’s plate number nor the faces of those who dumped the body because it was dark. The only thing he saw was a silver car that immediately sped off.

The barangay official then sought the help of the police and ran after a silver vehicle.

Gaudan, the driver of Maynilad’s car, denied the accusation. He said he and his team went to Dominga to check the water meters and nothing more. Maynilad has already sent a legal counsel to assist the suspects.

The suspects underwent paraffin test, which later yielded negative results. The vehicle, based on initial finds, also tested negative for traces of blood. The vehicle, a Mitsubishe Adventure, is now under police custody.

“I am very confident that the case will be dismissed. God knows we did not do anything wrong,” Gaudan said.

The four suspects are now detained at the Pasay City police headquarters.