2 dead men stuffed in balikbayan boxes

MANILA, Philippines - The bodies of two men, believed to be victims of summary execution, were found stuffed in balikbayan boxes in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Police have yet to identify the victims.

Witness Mercy Bitara discovered the bodies at around 5:30 a.m. along Calamba street in Barangay Lourdes, said Police Officer 2 Alvin Quisumbing of the Quezon City Police District Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit.

Bitara told police that she was walking in the area when she noticed two balikbayan boxes containing garbage bags. Upon checking its contents, she was surprised to see the bodies of the victims.

Quisumbing said their investigation showed that the victims bore choke marks. Metal wires were looped around the bodies.

Both victims are believed to be between 35 and 40 years old and 5’5” tall. One of them, wearing short pants and blue shirt, bears the tattoos “Commando J. Alvarez” and “Saturnino” on the right leg and back, respectively.

The other body is clad in black shorts and an orange shirt and has a “Lando Hercodes” tattoo on the right arm.

Police are conducting further investigation to identify the suspects.