By BETHEENA KAE UNITE • ANALOU DE VERA • JAIMIE ROSE ABERIA
A young woman, believed to be a victim of “salvage” or summary execution, was one of three bodies found in separate locations in Manila yesterday.
The bullet-riddled body was discovered by construction worker Neil Gabriel at around 4 a.m. near the Plaza Mexico ferry station.
The victim was described between 25 and 30-years-old, about five-foot-three in height, medium built, and had white complexion. She was wearing a blue stripe shirt, maong pants, and pink shoes.
Her hands were tied by duct tape and a cardboard was found near the body. It read: CHINESE DRUG LORD.
Police recovered five fired cartridges cases and one deformed slug.
The body was brought to St. Rich Funeral Homes in Quezon City for autopsy and safekeeping. It was the second body picked up by the same funeral parlor yesterday.
At 1:45 a.m., a male body, his head covered with packaging tape, was recovered at the back of the post office in Ermita, Manila.
The victim was lying on his stomach, wearing red shirt, and dark blue shorts. Both hands were tied behind his back and a note: “Snatcher, holdaper, akyat bahay, at pusher wag tularan” was left beside him.
Officials described the victim to be between 30 and 35-years-old, about 5’3″ in height, medium built, and with fair complexion. The body was discovered by a certain Marlon Monterde who was fetching water, according to police.
Lea Botones, proprietor of St. Rich Funeral Homes, said there are at least 20 unidentified bodies which remained unclaimed since July 1.
In another possible case of summary execution, another unidentified man was discovered at 3:30 a.m. at the Zamora Bridge Interlink in Sta. Mesa. A cardboard which read “Chinese drug lord” was placed beside the body.
A witness said he heard five gunshots before the body’s discovery. The victim was about 30 to 35-years-old, five-foot-four, and clad in denim pants and black shirt.
Responding Scene-of-the-Crime Operatives said the victim died on the spot due to multiple bullet wounds on different parts of the body. SOCO also recovered six empty shells from a caliber .9mm pistol and two metal fragments.
An investigation to shed more light on the murder case by gun shooting is now underway, PO3 Marlon San Pedro, case investigator said. The body was moved to the Cruz Funeral Homes for autopsy and safekeeping, according to San Pedro.
