A 21-year-old member of the LGBTQIA+ community was found dead in an irrigation canal in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, prompting police to arrest the victim's former live-in partner as the main suspect in the killing.
The victim, a resident of Barangay Cama Juan in San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, was found floating in an irrigation canal in Sitio Burnao, Barangay Del Pilar.
Police said an initial examination by Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) indicated that the victim had been strangled. Authorities also found a large stone tied to the victim's body, apparently to keep it submerged in the water.
“Base po sa examination ng SOCO, lumalabas po na sinakal po niya 'yung victim. Natagpuan pong lumulutang doon sa may irrigation canal at during the examination din po, 'yung katawan ng victim ay meron pong nakataling malaking bato para po siguro lumubog 'yung biktima,” PMAJ. Nelson Sarmiento, chief of the Zaragoza Police Station, said.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and saw the victim riding on a motorcycle driven by a man shortly before the body was found.
Further investigation identified the rider as the victim's former live-in partner, who was later arrested by police.
According to investigators, the couple had separated about a week before the incident. Police said the suspect allegedly wanted to reconcile with the victim and arranged a meeting under the pretense of joining friends for a drinking session in Barangay San Rafael.
“During investigation, sila po ay isang linggo nang hiwalay at itong lalaki, itong ating suspek ay gustong makipagbalikan. Kaya isin-et po niya 'yung pagkikita kasama 'yung mga kaibigan sa isang lugar dito sa Barangay San Rafael para sila'y mag-inuman. Kaya sinundo po niya 'yung victim. Kaya lang hindi po niya dinala doon sa usapang lugar,” Sarmiento said.
Police said the victim's family is seeking justice and remains in shock over the killing.
“Kaya hindi rin po makapaniwala 'yung magulang ng victim na puwede niyang gawin doon sa victim 'yung karumal-dumal na pangyayari,” Sarmiento added.
Authorities have filed the appropriate charges against the suspect, who has yet to issue a statement, as of press time.
