Another ‘salvage’ victim found in Iloilo

By: Jennifer P. Rendon 

ANOTHER victim of summary execution or “salvaging” was found evening of June 8, 2019 in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

Colt Premarion, 23, of Barangay Pasig, Lambunao, Iloilo, is the fourth “salvage” victim in a span of 20 days.

Salvaging became the slang for summary executions as most victims were fished out or salvaged from bodies of water like rivers. The slang became popular in the Philippines, especially in news reports, during the 70s and the 80s.

Premarion’s hands were tied with a duct tape and he bore gunshot injuries on his head and different parts of the body.

Chief Master Sergeant Jesus Wilson Saludares, deputy chief of Sta. Barbara police, said a motorcycle rider saw the victim’s body discarded on the roadside of Barangay Bitaog around 9:30 p.m.

The unnamed motorist reported the incident to a barangay official who called for assistance from New Lucena Police Station, which is near Bitaog village.

The New Lucena Police Station informed Sta. Barbara Police Station of the cadaver.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Hilarion Roga, chief of Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) of PNP Regional Crime Laboratory, said they recovered from the area empty shells of calibers .45 and .9mm ammunitions, a cigarette, and a match.

A motorcycle was also found near Premarion’s body.

There was no blood spatter that will indicate that the victim was shot in the scene.

Police did not immediately identify the body for lack of identification papers in his possession.

Saludares said they got a breakthrough after receiving reports of a stolen motorcycle in Lambunao around 7 p.m. of the same day.

They went to Lambunao to confirm Premarion’s identity.

The victim’s uncle positively identified his body.

Police said the stolen motorcycle is the same bike recovered near Premarion’s remains.

Saludares said they are still checking closed circuit television (CCTV) footages in Lambunao and areas leading to the crime scene.

“For now, we could not say if Premarion was the one who took the motorcycle or the person/s who killed him,” Saludares said.

Police investigators are also looking at the victim’s affiliation. His family claimed that he had no permanent job.

Last May 28, a woman who was also summarily executed was found at Barangay Talusan, Dumangas, Iloilo.

Marlyn Serdeña, 29, of Barangay San Miguel, Buenavista, Guimaras and temporarily residing at Barangay Calumpang, Molo, Iloilo City, had massive debts aside from being accused of duping jobseekers.

On May 21, two suspected riding-in-tandem robbers were found dead in Barangay Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Tristan Zachary Eribal, 19, an incoming senior high school student from Barangay Caingin, La Paz district, and his uncle Jimrod Eribal, 22, of Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, were found with multiple gunshot and stab injuries.

Their eyes and mouths were covered with packaging tape while their hands were also tied.