BACOLOD City – The remains of a beheaded man were found in Purok Puntod, Barangay Poblacion 2, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
Authorities have identified the fatality as 30-year-old Joel Malalo-an Lacao-lacao, a resident of the barangay’s Purok Tangke.
Based on the initial report released by the Sagay City police, Joel’s remains were found by residents on Sunday morning, Jan. 28, with his head missing. The victim did not have any visible scars on the other parts of his body.
According to eyewitness accounts, Joel was last seen alive on Saturday night as the village celebrated its annual fiesta.
As of this writing, the victim’s head has not been found.
Meanwhile, Joel’s family is calling for the suspect(s) to return the victim’s head so that it can be given a decent burial.
In a radio interview, the victim’s sibling, Jocelyn, said Joel survived a hacking and stabbing incident 15 years ago.
From then on, Joel transferred to Iloilo. The suspects were imprisoned for frustrated homicide, but they were released after getting bail.
Jocelyn suspects that the same individuals are responsible for the beheading of her brother.
As the investigation continues, the authorities are still trying to determine the motive and the identity of the suspect(s). (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
