Police verify Capiz ID in Pavia burned body

By Jennifer P. Rendon and Felipe V. Celino

Police have yet to confirm the identity of the charred body found at a subdivision in Pavia, Iloilo, early April 29.

Police Capt. Ritz Field Presquito, Pavia police chief, said the body was burned beyond recognition.

“We couldn’t even verify the victim’s gender,” he said.

Iloilo police are verifying whether the identification card found in a wallet near the body belonged to Frank Rois Apelo Barbaza, a resident of Barangay Punta Tabuc, Roxas City.

Police also recovered a cellphone and a power bank near the body.

Barangay Councilor Kristelle Anne Mae Gayamat-Begalan of Barangay Punta Tabuc confirmed to reporters Wednesday afternoon, April 29, that the ID, cellphone, and power bank belonged to Barbaza.

She said Barbaza’s mother confirmed ownership of the items.

Gayamat-Begalan said Barbaza’s mother visited her son at his boarding house last week.

Barbaza is a graduating Bachelor of Science in Nursing student at the University of San Agustin.

He hailed from Roxas City, Capiz, and was temporarily staying at his aunt’s house in Barangay Caingin, La Paz, Iloilo City.

Barbaza left his aunt’s house around 5:03 p.m. April 28.

He allegedly booked a Grab ride, but his destination was not immediately known.

Barbaza apparently went to a friend’s place, where he planned to spend the night before going home to Roxas City.

But around 7 p.m., he left and left behind his backpack.

He told his friend that he had to go somewhere.

It was gathered that Barbaza was also able to send a message to his uncle in Germany around 1 a.m. Wednesday.

His mother later called Frank’s cellphone after receiving the news, but it kept ringing and no one answered.

Allan, 48, of Zone 6, Barangay Ungka 1, Pavia, told police investigators that his brother saw what appeared to be a grass fire near the concrete wall of Green Meadows Subdivision in Barangay Ungka 1.

A separate account from Romullo Parcon said he was jogging in the area when he saw the fire, prompting him to inform his brother Allan, who helped put it out.

Initial accounts placed the discovery between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Allan scaled the wall to douse the fire with water.

It was only then that Allan’s brother saw that what was burning was a human body.

Barangay Councilor Edward Cabrera of Barangay Ungka 1 said almost the victim’s entire body was burned, while one leg was nearly detached from the body.

Coincidentally, Barbaza’s ex-girlfriend, his classmate at the College of Nursing, resides at Green Meadows, where the burned body was found.

When police showed her a photograph of the charred body, the woman allegedly became emotional.

However, Presquito said the woman was uncooperative and hesitant to be interviewed.

Presquito said it is highly possible that the victim was injured or already dead when the body was set on fire.

The body reeked of gasoline.

Police also found no signs of struggle at the crime scene.

Presquito said police have asked Grab to provide details on where Barbaza may have gone after he was picked up in La Paz.

Police also asked Barbaza’s mother to undergo a swab test for DNA matching with the body.

Presquito added that police also requested Barbaza’s dental records.

Police have yet to confirm whether the burned body was Barbaza’s, pending further investigation and identification procedures.