BACOLOD City — A 30-year-old man who had reportedly been missing for several days was found dead floating near the shoreline of Sitio Kulo, Barangay Lemery, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, on August 8.
The victim, identified only by the alias “Joel,” 30, single and a resident of Barangay Calampisawan, Calatrava, was found at about 3:50 p.m., according to the Calatrava Municipal Police Station.
Police said the discovery was reported through the Negros 911 Emergency Hotline at about 4 p.m., prompting mobile patrol personnel, the duty investigator, and members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) to proceed to the area.
Initial investigation showed that Joel’s brother, identified as alias “Ronelo,” was aboard a banca with companions while searching for him.
While patrolling the area, Ronelo noticed what appeared to be a human body floating in the water near the shoreline. He and his companions approached the body and identified it as that of Joel.
MDRRMO personnel subsequently recovered the body from the water and brought it to shore. It was later transported to the Calatrava District Hospital, where an attending physician conducted an examination.
The family reportedly declined an autopsy and signed the necessary waiver./PN
