La Castellana laborer mauled, dumped in ravine

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Two cousins and a teenager were arrested for allegedly mauling to death a 48-year-old laborer in Barangay Masulog, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday.

Police identified the victim as Sonny, a resident of the village.

Maj. Romulo Gepilango V, chief of the La Castellana Municipal Police Station, said the victim’s body was found by a frog hunter in a creek at 4 p.m.

Gepilango said the victim was last seen alive by barangay officials early that day with three companions at the plaza.

The three companions were later identified and invited by authorities to the barangay hall for investigation at around 8 p.m.

During the investigation, one of the suspects, identified as 20-year-old Romnick, confessed to his alleged participation in Sonny’s death and identified his cousin, 30-year-old Reymon, as the alleged mastermind, with the help of 18-year-old Jonafel.

However, Gepilango said Reymon and Jonafel denied the allegations despite inconsistencies in their statements.

Based on the police investigation, a heated altercation ensued between Reymon and Sonny while they were having a drinking session at the plaza.

Reymon allegedly punched Sonny, causing him to lose consciousness.

Afterward, Reymon allegedly convinced his two companions to drag the victim to a dark portion of the plaza, where they allegedly hit his head with a rock and mauled him, Gepilango said.

The suspects then tied the victim to a bamboo pole and brought him to a ravine, where they allegedly threw his body about 10 to 15 meters deep.

The victim was half-naked when he was found.

Gepilango said murder charges were filed against the three suspects on Thursday, following their arrest a few hours after the incident.

Police are looking into drunkenness as a possible factor in the incident.