An unidentified man in an advanced state of decomposition was found in a river in Hacienda Canla-on, Brgy. Sag-ang, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Thursday morning, Aug. 14.
Maj. Melchor Patna-an, La Castellana Acting Police Chief, said the discovery was made by a force multiplier who was on his way to harvest vegetables when he saw the cadaver inside a dam at around 8:30 a.m.
The victim, believed to have been dead for four to five days, was wearing a campaign shirt, grey underwear, and denim pants.
He had a tattoo of a candle with the name “Melvin” on his left shoulder.
Patna-an said the man is not believed to be a resident of the area and may have been carried to the site by strong currents brought by heavy rains earlier this week.
Initial investigation also showed the victim had wounds on his body.
His remains have been referred for post-mortem examination as police work to determine his identity and the circumstances of his death.*