A man with his head wrapped in duct tape was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds beside a pile of garbage in Purok Abkasa, Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City, on Wednesday morning, Aug. 13.
Bacolod City Police Office Director Col. Joeresty Coronica said the victim, whose identity is still being confirmed, was found lying in a pool of blood.
He had multiple gunshot wounds to the head, and his eyes were covered with duct tape.
Coronica said the presence of blood at the scene suggests the victim was shot in the area.
Gary Dalumpines, a subdivision guard near the site, said a concerned citizen approached him to report the presence of a body.
When he went to check, he saw the victim lying in a vacant lot and immediately called the police through the 911 hotline, Dalumpines said.
Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) processed the area and gathered evidence.
The police noted that the victim had tattoos on his neck and shoulders
It was the fourth body found by authorities this week, following the discovery of three bodies in Talisay City earlier.
Coronica said it is too early to confirm if the incidents are connected, but the BCPO and Talisay City Police Station are conducting parallel investigations.
Of the three victims found in Talisay, one has been identified as Mars Relles, 48, of Villa Soledad, Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City.
His body was discovered in Brgy. Concepcion, Talisay City, around 2 p.m. on Aug. 10.
Police said Relles had previous cases related to the illegal drug trade and murder, and was a victim of a stabbing incident earlier this year.
He was released from the Bureau of Corrections in 2021 and from the Metro Bacolod District Jail in 2023.
Col. Rainerio De Chavez, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office director, said he is heading the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) created to probe the Talisay killings.
The SITG is set to convene on Aug. 14 to discuss gathered data and determine follow-up actions.
De Chavez said that they are coordinating closely with the Talisay City government and assured that authorities are actively pursuing leads.*