BY JEN BAYLON & MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – The Cabalquinto family is convinced that the dismembered body found in Barangay Buhang, Jaro district, belonged to their beloved Kristopher.
A mutilated head was discovered inside a plastic bag, emitting a reeking odor, in Barangay Quezon, Arevalo district, around 5 p.m. yesterday.
Attached to the plastic bag was a cardboard sign with the words: “Babala sa mga adik. Ibalik ang kamay na bakal. PDU30.”
Kristopher’s sibling was the first to rush to the scene. Despite the strong resemblance, he was initially unable to confirm whether the head belonged to his brother.
Police Executive Master Sergeant Mark Olana of the Arevalo police station said the head was in a state of decomposition, which made it difficult for Cabalquinto’s sibling to recognize specific features.
Felisa, a resident of Barangay 7, San Miguel, Iloilo, and mother of the 32-year-old alleged victim, expressed no doubts as they recognized several identifying marks on the body.
According to the family, Kristopher had a mole near his armpit, a unique toenail shape, and a scar on his leg from a previous motorcycle accident.
Felisa recalled her last encounter with her son on Nov. 2, when he left home to meet a girl at a nearby convenience store. Since then, Kristopher failed to return home, which was unusual behavior for him, and this alarmed the worried mother.
Further Identification Needed
All the discovered body parts are currently at a funeral parlor in this city. The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) will send the mutilated head for a post-mortem examination, while the remaining body parts will undergo DNA testing to fully ascertain the victim’s identity. Results are expected within at least 28 days, according to Police Major Haide Sidoro of SOCO.
Motives
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is currently investigating two possible motives in the killing – a crime of passion and illegal drugs.
Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica, ICPO director, said there is currently one person of interest, identified only as alias “Love-Love,” who was reportedly seen with Kristopher before his disappearance.
Coronica also confirmed Kristopher’s involvement in illegal drug activities, based on intelligence monitoring by the ICPO and subsequent validation.
“Based on the intelligence we have gathered, the victim was involved in illegal drugs. We are considering this as a motive because there were reports of a possible crime of passion as alleged, and because of the messages found on the cardboard signs. Our validation also indicates his involvement in illegal drugs,” Coronica added.
However, the city police director clarified that Cabalquinto did not operate within Iloilo City but in other locations and that they have yet to determine whom the victim was working under.
Seeking justice, the Cabalquinto family earlier appealed to the authorities for assistance in recovering Kristopher’s missing head, which they believe belongs to the owner of the severed limbs found in La Paz and Jaro districts on Monday, Nov. 6.
“We really hope that the authorities will make every effort because, you know, the dead keep coming back if they’re not whole,” Felisa wept.
To the city’s horror, mutilated human body parts were discovered in two separate locations on Monday morning — severed arms inside a sack in Barangay Ticud, La Paz, and a man’s decapitated and armless torso near the river in Barangay Buhang, Jaro. The sack containing the victim bore a cardboard sign with the message, “IBALIK ANG KAMAY NA BAKAL, BABALA SA MGA PUSHER, PDU30,” and “MERRY CHRISTMAS 2023.”
Intensified Security
The ICPO has reminded the public, particularly in areas where body parts have been found, to be vigilant. Coronica urged immediate reporting to barangay officials or the authorities if anyone observes suspicious activity, especially in secluded areas. He emphasized that public cooperation is highly needed as these incidents affect the city’s security and tourism.
“In light of these events, involving body parts found in Iloilo City, we are facing a negative impact on the peace and order of Iloilo City, which we have always strived to protect,” said Coronica.
Mayor Jerry Treñas has mandated stricter checkpoints in strategic areas, particularly during nighttime and early morning hours, viewing this as a challenge to ensure peace and order rather than a setback to his administration.
“To support the PNP’s efforts to curb criminality in the city, I am directing barangay officials to help in securing their areas through their tanods. We must ensure that our barangays are safe. I have also directed the PNP to conduct mobile checkpoints in all districts to make sure that everyone is safe,” the city mayor stated.
Treñas also called for a thorough investigation of the incident to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We do not tolerate this kind of heinous crime in our city, especially as we are known as a peaceful and safe metropolis. I urge the public to be vigilant, to cooperate with the authorities, and to help by reporting crimes or suspicious and illegal activities in your areas,” he added. /PN
