A MAN believed to have been a victim of "tripping" was found dead at about 1:30 a.m. Monday, May 2, in Pontevedra town, Negros Occidental.
Pontevedra Municipal Police Station Deputy Chief Rowell Peniero identified the victim as Jerry Eduardo, 23, of Sitio Pinabulanan at Barangay Antipolo in Pontevedra.
Penieros said they initially thought that Eduardo was a victim of hit-and-run.
He was brought to a hospital.
The police said Eduardo was still alive when they brought him to the hospital but they could not get any statements from him because he was restless.
But Eduardo's sister said that his brother told her that he was not hit by a vehicle.
Rather, he was mauled by unidentified suspects for no apparent reason, his sister said.
Investigation showed that prior to the incident Eduardo attended a wake in La Carlota City.
"He was possibly on his way home when he was waylaid and mauled," Peniero also said, adding that they are still investigating what vehicle the victim rode in going home and who were the last persons he was with.
Eduardo had wounds on his head, body and legs, police records showed.
The Pontevedra police also tried to coordinate with Eduardo's alleged lover, a member of the LGBTQ community, but the latter was already in Guimaras.