Skeletal Remains of Missing Kabankalan Teen Found

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Police are investigating possible foul play in the death of a 19-year-old man whose alleged skeletal remains were discovered in Purok 1, Barangay Camansi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday.

Authorities responded after a barangay official reported the discovery.

Based on police investigation, a 57-year-old laborer collecting firewood in the mountainous area of the barangay noticed a foul odor and traced it to the remains around 2 p.m.

Police Capt. Sammy Gasataya, deputy chief of the Kabankalan City Police Station, said the teen’s 43-year-old father identified his son through a t-shirt, a pair of shorts and slippers found at the site.

Gasataya said the father told police his son would often leave their home or stay at a relative’s house but always returned.

However, the teen failed to return after May 5 and made no contact with his family.

The family reported him missing to the barangay after several weeks of no contact.

According to Gasataya, the father also said he had heard his son talking to himself and acting as if someone was outside their home.

The father claimed his son was allegedly using illegal drugs.

Barangay officials said the victim was on their drug watch list, though police are still verifying if he was also on the police list.

Gasataya added the family believed the teen may have been suffering from depression.

Police have not determined the cause of death or whether drug use was a contributing factor.

Gasataya said the family has accepted what happened.

Farmer Shot Dead in Victorias City

A 52-year-old farmer was shot dead in Hacienda Malihaw, Barangay 20, Victorias City, on Saturday night.

Police identified the victim only as “Ray,” a resident of the same village.

Initial investigation showed the victim and the suspect had a heated argument earlier that day.

While the victim was walking along a hacienda road that evening, the suspect allegedly appeared and, without provocation, shot him with an unknown firearm before fleeing the scene.

The victim was hit in the lower abdominal area and was declared dead at a hospital, police said.

The victim’s daughter reported the incident to police about four hours after it occurred around 6:40 p.m.

The motive remains unknown.