A 61-year-old man was found dead in a canal of a rice field in Sitio Camonsilan, Brgy. Payao, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, on Thursday morning, Jan. 8.
Police identified the victim as a married resident of Zone 6, Brgy. Payao.
The Binalbagan police said they received the report at around 8 a.m. from barangay officials and immediately conducted verification and retrieval operations with the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Investigation showed that the victim was discovered lifeless, face down in the canal, by his son at around 6 a.m.
Authorities said the victim was last seen at around 2 p.m. on Jan. 7 after leaving their house to herd ducks in the rice field as part of his daily routine.
Police said the family believes there was no foul play involved as no wounds were found on the body.
The family also said the victim was suffering from hypertension and may have failed to take his maintenance medication.*