No suspects yet in Arevalo mangrove murder

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police investigators have yet to identify a person or persons of interest in the murder of a 40-year-old man whose body was found near a mangrove plantation at Project 5, Barangay Sooc, Arevalo, Iloilo City.

Capt. Michael Tuburan of Iloilo City Police Station 6 said investigators are still reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from cameras in areas leading to Sooc village.

So far, one CCTV camera captured the victim, Aurelio Diaz Jr., passing by Arevalo plaza accompanied by an unidentified man.

Tuburan said police have yet to speak with the victim’s family regarding their claim that he was lured into a trap by a group.

He added that the family is still making funeral arrangements for their slain kin.

Diaz was a resident of Janiuay, Iloilo, but had been staying at his sister’s house in Barangay Mali-ao, Pavia, Iloilo, following his estrangement from his wife.

He allegedly left home at around 7 p.m. on Feb. 18.

When his sister saw reports that a male body had been found, she tried to contact Diaz but could not reach him.

She and other family members went to Iloilo City Police Station 6 to confirm the identity of the slain man.

Tuburan said the victim’s motorcycle and a bag containing his wallet and mobile phone are also missing.

A crab fisherman discovered Diaz’s body around 8 a.m. Thursday while on his way to a nearby creek.

The victim sustained wounds on his head and body, and was likely struck with a hard object.

A blood-stained tree branch was found near the body, along with a pair of slippers underneath a monkeypod tree.

Blood droplets were also found approximately 10 meters from where the body was discovered.