Fishermen found two dead bodies in two drums submerged underwater at a river in Barangay Submakin, Labo, Camarines Norte.

On April 1, 2024, the fishermen were swimming in the river when they saw two large drums underwater. They returned to the site the following morning to investigate further and it was when they decided to open the top part of the drums. They were shocked to see what appeared to be human ears.

“Naninisid po kami nung mga kasamahan ko po, nagpunta po ako doon sa may tabi [at] nag-spot po ako [tapos] may naspotan po akong drum,” Efren Gache Jr., one of the fishermen, said.

The fishermen notified authorities immediately of what they found. 

When the drums were cut in half, dead bodies were found inside with cement, their faces wrapped in duct tape. One of the victim’s was in handcuffs.

According to the police, the victims must have been killed about three to four weeks earlier.

The PNP believes the incident may involve multiple suspects, given the complexity of the crime.

As of this writing, the Labo Municipal Police Station (MPS) continues its investigation, also to identify the victims. Investigators are also verifying information about two individuals who went missing in Laguna.

“So far po, may tumawag na sakin from Laguna, may binigay na missing persons, so ibinigay ko na [itong impormasyon] sa aking investigation [team], sa naghahawak ng kaso, para magkaroon ng comparison base doon sa result ng pagdetermine ng forensic [results] natin [o sa] autopsy,” PLTCOL. Augusto Manila, Officer-in-Charge of the Labo MPS, said.