Man beheaded in Talisay

A police officer checks the body and severed head of a purported pimp at Barangay Zone 16, Talisay City, Negros Occidental Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Talisay City Police Station)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police are looking into the possibility that the same perpetrators were behind the killings of a pimp in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, and a commercial sex worker here this month.

Police Captain Elmer Bonilla, head of Police Station 7, said they have been looking for Mario Demetrio, 48, of Barangay Singcang-Airport here, a day after a commercial sex worker was found dead in Barangay Alijis here on Sept. 8.

Bonilla said Demetrio was the last person seen with the commercial sex worker at the Goldenfield Commercial Complex here before the latter was killed.

Bonilla said that they were looking for Demetrio, as he could probably help them in the murder case of the commercial sex worker who was picked up by a car at the Goldenfield Commercial Complex on the night of Sept. 7.

“Wala man siya (Demetrio) abi nagpakita, kag dugay na daw siya wala gapuli sa ila balay,” the station commander added.

Nine days later, Demetrio’s severed head was found near his body in Barangay Zone 16, Talisay City on Sept. 17.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Baybayan, Talisay City police chief, said that Demetrio’s hands were hogtied when found by concerned citizens at the roadside.

“Nakadapa siya sa gilid ng kalsada at walang suot pantaas,” Baybayan said.

Baybayan believed that the victim may have been killed somewhere else and the body later dumped at Alijis.

Police said Demetrio’s severed head suffered a gunshot wound, while his body suffered injuries.

He was identified by his 66-year-old mother at the funeral parlor, the following day.

Baybayan said they are exploring all angles, including the possible link of the said brutal killing to the death of the commercial sex worker here.