SUMMARY EXECUTION?: Illegal drugs eyed behind couple’s slay in Negros Or.

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police are looking into illegal drugs as possible motive behind the deaths of a couple who was murdered in Sibulan, Negros Oriental over the weekend.

Jennifer Garzola, 27 of Binalbagan town, and her live-in partner Robby Batalla, 34, of Hinigaran town, both from Negros Occidental, were found lifeless in Barangay San Antonio last Sunday.

Police Major Nelson Lamoco, town police chief, said each victim suffered not less than 10 stab wounds.

Aside from that, Lamoco said the couple’s heads were covered with plastic bags and their faces covered with a packaging tape. They were also handcuffed and were tied with a rope.

Lamoco believed that the couple might be victims of “summary execution,” considering the manner of the crime committed, describing it as “brutal and inhumane.”

He added that they are eyeing an alleged failed illegal drug transaction as a possible angle upon checking the background of the couple.

Police also learned that Garzola was previously jailed for a drug offense, while Batalla had previous cases related to illegal drugs and robbery.

Investigation is ongoing to determine the identities of the perpetrators.