Hogtied woman found dead in Bacolod vacant lot

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Police are investigating the death of a woman who was found hogtied in a grassy vacant lot in the Reclamation area of Barangay 12 on Wednesday afternoon.

Police Capt. Francis Depasucat, head of Police Station 1, said the victim appeared to be in her early 20s, stood between 5-foot-2 and 5-foot-4, and was wearing a blue T-shirt.

Depasucat said a passerby, who was about to relieve himself, discovered the body with both hands and feet hogtied and the victim’s lower garment pulled down.

The woman had visible injuries such as scratches and bruises, suggesting signs of struggle, according to Depasucat.

He said they have already identified the victim but are withholding her name pending notification of her family.

Depasucat added that the woman was last seen alive on Tuesday when she reported for training at a construction firm in the city.

Police are now backtracking individuals the victim may have interacted with after office hours.

Depasucat said investigators are facing difficulties in the case and are currently looking for closed-circuit television footage that could help trace the victim’s movements before her body was found around 1 p.m.

He said they cannot yet conclude whether the victim was sexually assaulted or sustained additional injuries, pending the results of further investigation.

Depasucat also said it remains unclear whether the crime occurred at the site or if the body was dumped there.