Woman, 71, found dead in Pototan

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 71-year-old woman was found dead morning of March 18, 2022 in Pototan, Iloilo.

The body of Cecil (real name withheld), a resident of Barangay Tuburan, Pototan, was recovered from Jalaur River in Tumcon Ilaud village.

Tumcon Ilaud residents Adrian Jose Ledesma, 19, and Khey Jann Portugues, 22, found the woman’s body around 8 a.m. Friday.

According to Cecil’s family, she left their house March 16 and failed to return since.

The victim was positively identified by her brother Edelberto.

Initial investigation showed that there was no sign of struggle or strangulation found on the victim’s body.

As such, police investigators are not ruling out the possibility of suicide.

Major Ciriaco Esquilarga, Pototan police chief, said the victim had previous suicide attempts.

Family members claimed she dealt with family related problems.

They were also convinced that there was no foul play surrounding her death.

If indeed Cecil committed suicide, Iloilo province now has 20 persons who died by taking their own life since the year started.

On March 16, two persons were also recorded to have died from suicide – a 65-year-old man in Barangay Monpon, Dueñas and a 32-year-old man from Barangay Datagan, Calinog, Iloilo.