Woman found dead in Negros sugarcane field

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 27-year-old woman was found dead Monday morning in a sugarcane field in Sitio Bag-ong Dalan Palao 1, Barangay Balintawak, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.

Police Lt. Suzennie Ann Legada, administrative officer of the Escalante City Police Station, said the victim was last seen on the night of Sept. 7 attending a purok fiesta with three male cousins and a male friend.

She reportedly excused herself to urinate but never returned.

Her companions and family searched for her until 2 a.m. the next day.

The search resumed later that morning, and around 8 a.m., her mother found the body after noticing a pair of slippers near a sugarcane field.

The victim, a resident of Barangay Washington, sustained a head injury, and her underwear was discovered near her feet.

A stone was also found beside the body.

While signs of possible foul play were noted, authorities said a post-mortem exam is needed to confirm if she was sexually assaulted and to determine the exact cause of death.

The woman had returned to Escalante City from Manila about two months earlier.

Police have identified persons of interest, and the investigation is ongoing.