The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) activated a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) on Thursday, Aug. 14, to investigate two of the three dead bodies found in Talisay City.
NOCPPO spokesperson Capt. Judesses Catalogo told DIGICAST NEGROS on Aug. 15 that the SITG will focus on two victims discovered in Brgy. Concepcion, while a separate probe will be conducted on the third body, which was already in an advanced state of decomposition.
One of the SITG-covered victims has been identified as Mars Relles, 48, of Villa Soledad, Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City.
His body was found in Brgy. Concepcion on Aug. 10.
Police records show he had previous cases for illegal drug trade and murder and was also a stabbing victim earlier this year.
He was released from the Bureau of Corrections in 2021 and from the Metro Bacolod District Jail in 2023.
The other SITG case involves a man believed to be 45 to 50 years old, found in Hacienda San Isidro, Brgy. Concepcion, near an abandoned motorcycle and helmet.
He was wearing a blue T-shirt, denim shorts, and green slippers.
Catalogo said investigators are still working to establish his identity as he has no known permanent address in Bacolod.
The third victim, discovered in Hacienda Minuluan, Brgy. Matab-ang, was believed to have been dead for about a month.
The body was in an advanced state of decomposition, with skeletal parts already visible.
Catalogo said the SITG will coordinate closely with the Bacolod City Police Office, and any breakthroughs will be jointly presented.
The task group aims to conduct a focused and coordinated investigation by maximizing the capabilities of each member.*