“Salvage victim” fished off San Fernando shoreline

CEBU, Philippines - An unidentified person believed to be a victim of summary execution was found floating off the seawaters in Barangay South Poblacion, San Fernando last Friday.

The decomposing remains of the man was wrapped in a tarpaulin tied with a rope, his mouth was covered with towel and masking tape, and with both wrists joined at his back by a handcuff.

Sofronio Alfeche, a Bantay Dagat officer of San Fernando, discovered the body some three kilometers off the shoreline while he was patrolling the municipal waters at 7 a.m.

The policemen immediately responded after Alfeche reported what he had found.

The man was wearing an orange shirt and blue maong shorts. He reportedly has a tattoo on his arm. He had a wound on the right side of his head.

San Fernando police chief, Chief Insp. Sara Jean Recla, believes that the victim may have been killed in another place and was just dumped into the sea. The body may have been drifted to San Fernando.

She said they will request the PNP Crime Laboratory 7 to conduct an autopsy on the body. Recla said the face is already beyond recognition as it is already in the advance state of decomposition.

Even the wound in the head could not be distinguished anymore if it was a gunshot or stabbed wound.

The body is now at the Tupas Funeral Parlor in Carcar City.  (FREEMAN)