Tug-of-war over body in torched car

MANILA, Philippines - Two women are claiming that the charred remains of a man found in a burning vehicle along C-3 Road in Caloocan City last week is their missing husband, police said yesterday.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Santos said Leticia Chua, 24, of 3rd Avenue, Caloocan City, said the burned remains could be that of her husband, Gildo Chua, 40.

Leticia told police they have witnesses claiming her husband was seen riding a maroon Mitsubishi Adventure (WLV-586) at around 2 a.m. on Jan. 16 along 3rd Avenue. He has not returned.

The vehicle, which turned out to be that of Levi Dulay, 45, of 10th street, 8th Avenue, Caloocan City, was found burning along C-3 Road in Dagat-Dagatan, at around the same time Chua was reportedly seen riding the car.

A man’s body, burned beyond recognition, was found in the car’s middle seat. Dulay’s burned wallet, containing his driver’s license, and his cell phone were found in the car.

Dulay’s wife, Ana Marie, told police the body was that of her husband, Levi, based on the articles recovered in the car. She claimed the vehicle has a defective electrical system.

She said her husband left their house at around 9 p.m. on Jan. 15 to attend a party in Las Piñas using the car. Ana Marie tried to retrieve the body from the police but it was not released to her.

Santos said Ana Marie made many “doubtful” statements, apart from “several facts still being looked into” by his investigators.

“Added to these, there’s another claimant of the charred remains,” Santos said.

Chief Inspector Rodrigo Soriano, Caloocan City police investigation chief, said DNA tests have been conducted to determine which woman has the rightful claim.

“We are about to uncover the answer to this puzzle,” Soriano said.