By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY—Authorities are investigating the death of an eight-year-old boy who was found lifeless on Saturday, November 23, in Sitio Omot, Barangay Santol, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, four days after he was reported missing.
Police Major Jun Ray Batadlan, chief of the Binalbagan Police, said the victim, an elementary pupil, was last seen by his family leaving home for school at around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19.
The boy’s decomposing body was discovered by a barangay watchman in a sugarcane field at around 4 p.m. on November 23.
The victim was found half-naked, Batadlan added.
Authorities are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
“For now, we do not want to speculate as the investigation is ongoing,” Batadlan said.
In a separate incident, police are also investigating the killing of a 66-year-old farmer in Sitio Omas, Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City, on the same day.
Police Capt. Jose Michael Muñez, deputy chief of the Sipalay City Police Station, said the farmer was found lifeless in a rice field with two gunshot wounds to the chest.
The victim, who lived alone in the upland part of the village, was discovered by neighbors who informed his family about his death.