THE cadaver found in a roadside has been identified and claimed by relatives.
Acting Benguet Provincial director Florante Camuyot told Sun.Star Baguio the victim was identified as Epler Maenen Locloc, 29, a driver by profession and a native of La Trinidad, Benguet but residing in Quezon Hill, Baguio City.
Camuyut said the victim's father went to the Damayan Funeral Homes at Marcos Highway on the evening of October 17 to claim the body of his son before bringing him home to Central Tawang for proper burial rites.
Locloc was identified through tattoos found at his right shoulder as well as his clothing.
His body was found beside the riprap along the National highway in Pinalyok, Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet on the early morning of October 15.
Locloc was wearing black a t-shirt, black jacket, blue maong pants, and was wrapped with silver and brown packaging tape on his eyes, chin and feet.
Police then responded to a call from a concerned citizen jogging along the area after noticing a shoe beside the road, near it was the lifeless body of Locloc.
Police officers of the Puguis COMPAC responded and called on the Scene of the Crime Operatives.
Police Superintendent Jaime Rodrigo Leal and Police Senior Inspector Redentor Calixto processed the crime scene and reported puncture wound was found on the chest of Locloc while ligature marks was likewise noticed at his neck and both wrists.
Leal said Locloc sustained hemorrhage secondary to punctured wounds at his abdomen and asphyxia by ligature, strangulation.
La Trinidad police commander Chief Inspector Radino Belly, meanwhile, said the victim is not under the town's drug watchlist but his name appeared in the surrenderees name list.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the region also reported the victim is not in the agency’s drug list. (Maria Elena Catajan with a report from Elamae Membrere)