• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The body of a man, wrapped in plastic, bed sheet, and packaging tape, was found near a sugarcane plantation in Purok Langka, Barangay Pacol, Bago City in Negros Occidental July 2.
A report from the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region identified the victim as alias “Mickey”, 26, of Brgy. 16 in Bacolod City, as confirmed by his siblings and former live-in partner, through distinctive tattoos and the clothing he was wearing.
The former live-in partner said he was last seen June 27 at the Bacolod public plaza, where he worked as a barker. He reportedly left with unidentified individuals, and had not been seen or heard from until his body was discovered in Bago, the police said.
Verification further disclosed that “Mickey” had previous charges for illegal gambling in 2018 and 2024 at the Bacolod City Police Office.
P/Lt. Colonel James Latayon Jr., chief of the Bago City Component Police Station, surmised that the body was merely dumped in the area since it is along the road with no streetlights.
The body was wrapped, feet tied, and hands bound behind the back with tie wire.
Latayon estimated that the victim had been dead for approximately two days, as residents in the area had been complaining about a foul odor.
A group of sugarcane plantation workers noticed a similar smell at around 10 a.m. yesterday, and one of them found the body beneath a concrete electrical post near an irrigation canal.
“We assure the public that this case is being treated with utmost urgency,” P/Brig. Gen. Romano Cardino, PRO-NIR director, said. “Our investigators are exhausting all available investigative leads and coordinating with other law enforcement units to identify those responsible. We encourage anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist in the investigation.” | TMD
