Monday, June 09, 2008 'Salvage' victim found in Poyopoy, Tuba By Ernie Olson Jr.
A STILL unidentified "salvage" victim, who was found with nine stab wounds on his left chest, was discovered in an advanced state of decomposition in Tuba, Benguet last Thursday morning.
Although three families have already tried to determine if the "salvage" victim was their missing relative, as of 9 p.m. of June 5, this reportedly proved futile.
Superintendent Jaime Rodrigo Leal, chief medico-legal officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory regional office in the Cordillera, said the cadaver of the victim was discovered 150 to 200 meters below a 90-degree ravine along the Palispis-Aspiras (formerly Marcos) Highway in Poyopoy, Tuba, Benguet in the morning of June 5.
"A forensic autopsy revealed that the cadaver was in an advanced state of decomposition and may have been dumped there two to four weeks ago," Leal pointed out.
He said when found, the victim was wearing a light blue Nokie t-shirt, a pair of Jag denim jeans or maong pants, a RJX denim jacket and had a length of tie wire wrapped around his knees.
When found, he said the "salvage" victim was already heavily infested with flies and maggots on different parts of his body.
Leal also revealed that since the victim's cadaver was already decomposed, he could not identify his face nor his fingerprints. "We tried to get the fingerprints of his left hand, because it was the least decomposed, but the ridges on his fingertips were not defined anymore."
Measured to be around 5'2" to 5'3" in height, the "salvage" victim was described to be between 30 to 40 years old, dark complexioned and of medium build.
"Aside from the nine punctured wounds, three of which were fatal, there were no other fractures or wounds, gunshot or otherwise, found on the victim's body," he revealed.
Leal said the victim's remains was transferred to the La Funeraria Paz morgue, where families with missing relatives matching his description may go to possibly identify him.
