By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Police are investigating the background of two men found partially buried in a sugarcane field in Hacienda San Roque, Barangay Cubay, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental on Sunday.
The victims were identified by their live-in partners as alias “Atong,” 32, and alias “Follow-up,” 29, both residents of Purok Pilit Dos, Barangay 6 in this city.
Police Capt. Rosinie Cabuena, deputy chief of the La Carlota City Police Station, said Follow-up was jailed for theft in October 2024 and was released early this year, based on coordination with Police Station 2.
She added that while there are allegations of his involvement in other theft cases, police have yet to gather solid evidence.
Cabuena said the two victims, who were neighbors, were last seen by their families on Saturday morning.
She said Atong left their home around 9 a.m., while Follow-up left at 10 a.m., but their partners did not know whether the two men left together or where they were headed.
Police are coordinating with the victims’ families to gather additional information, and Cabuena noted the families have been cooperative.
Initial investigation revealed bruises on the victims’ bodies, possibly indicating torture.
Cabuena said they are still waiting for the results of the post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
The first victim was found naked, his body covered in mud and his face wrapped in masking tape, while the second victim was discovered a few meters away wrapped in a tarpaulin.
Both were found after a hacienda worker, while roving the area, noticed a pit in the middle of the field and suspected something had been buried.
Cabuena said the men may have been killed elsewhere and dumped in the area.
Investigation is ongoing to establish the motive and identify the suspects.
