Headless body of Muslim woman found in Iloilo town

STA. BARBARA, Iloilo — A decapitated body of a 19-year-old Muslim woman was found in a village here yesterday morning almost in a late stage of decomposition.

Police identified the body as that of to Sawiy Sanob Sulleza, of Tuboran Town in Basilan town, married to Sgt. Agustin Sulleza, 32, a resident of Brgy. Camanbugan of this town.

Police said, they found the body around 9 a.m. yesterday buried inside a hole just a few meters from the Sullezas’ residence.

The body was identified by Agustin’s mother Dionisia Sulleza, through her watch and ring.

Based on police investigation, there were already reports early this month and last December of human bones found in the area. On the other hand, police have not received any reports of missing persons in the area for the past months.

Insp. Eugenio Espejo, chief of police of this town said, the body of Sawiy was found by a dog who dug up a hole in the location where the decomposing body of Sawiy was found.

Some body parts could have already been eaten by the dogs according to residents of the barangay.

Espejo said they are looking for Sgt. Sulleza as the "possible" suspect. Sulleza is a member of the Special Force of the Philippine Army who is based in Basilan Island.

Police investigators said Sulleza and Sawiy were last seen by their mother Dionisia in Brgy. Camanbugan last Nov. 21, 2002 after the couple decided to leave for Manila.

The two, Dionisia told The STAR, arrived in their barangay between Sept. 15 and 16 where she learned that her son had been absent without official leave (AWOL) for 75 days.

Police believed that Agustin left without the victim.

Agustin is married to a woman from Bukidnon and has three children before he was converted to Islam and married Sawiy, a Tausog.

Sulleza’s photo was published last Feb. 21, 2002 on the front page of The STAR holding a M4A1 carbine standard weapon of the US Special Forces with US Army Staff Sgt. Neal Estrada in Tabiawan, Basilan.