Cop's body found underwater

CEBU, Philippines – A policeman assigned to the Investigative Detective Management Bureau of the Cebu City Police Office and presently a bodyguard of Cebu City councilor Jun Pe was found dead in the waters off the reclamation area in Mandaue City 9 a.m. yesterday.

The victim was identified as PO1 Danilo Playda, 37, married, and a native of barangay Buanoy, Balamban town and presently residing at barangay Tangke, Talisay City.

Mandaue City Police Office Homicide chief P/Insp. Jorge Aniñon yesterday said that it was a frogman of the Philippine Navy who was able to retrieve the dead body of Playda after it was discovered by a man who went diving for fish but instead saw his dead body underwater.

The unidentified man then reported what he has discovered to the Maritime police holding office near the area and they informed the Philippine Navy.

Aniñon said that although he received information from a friend of the fatality that he had already tried to commit suicide by slashing his wrist.

Aniñon said that Playda was only wearing denim pants when he was found. His body had not even started to decompose and he still had his watch, cellular phone and P2,200 in his wallet.

“Di pa g’yud ta ka-rule nga nag-suicide ni siya kay basin diay ug nagsuroy-suroy lang ni siya ug unya na-out-balance kay bag-o pa sad gud ni siyang na-operahan, busa maghuwat na lang una ta og resulta sa autopsy,” Aniñon said.

A maritime policeman took the Subscriber’s Identification Module card from Playda’s phone and they were able to call one of his friends who immediately informed his family in Talisay city about the discovery of the body.   The family of the victim then rushed to the crime scene and identified the fatality.

The family got surprised to hear of his death because the last time they saw him was last Friday night after he underwent an appendectomy at the Cebu Doctor’s University Hospital.

His brother, who asked not to be identified, also said that they even visited him last Saturday but they were informed that he had left the hospital without asking permission from the hospital staff.

His dead body was brought to the Cebu Rolling Hills funeral homes.

PO1 Cristituto Raboy also of the Homicide Section yesterday said that they have already requested the Scene of the Crime Operations to conduct an autopsy on Playda’s body. 

Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Jr., director of the Cebu City Police Office, said they will just coordinate with the Homicide Section of MCPO to know the real circumstances surrounding the death of Playda.

Comendador said that according to the reports he received, financial problems triggered Playda to commit suicide.

Chief Insp. George Ylanan, chief of Investigation and Detective Management Branch, said right after receiving the alarm, he immediately dispatched personnel and called CDUH and was told Playda only had a P13,000 worth of balance after his bill was covered by his insurance and PhilHealth benefits.

The IDMB chief said he knew Playda for being a strong person.

“Na-take man gani ‘to niya nga kaso, what more kani na financial ra? Kung makasugat man gani ‘to siya og problema, dili na ‘to mabag-ohan.” Ylanan said.

Ylanan said that Playda faced a murder case four years ago which was eventually downgraded to homicide after Playda, who was then assigned to the Carbon police, shot and killed a man.

Meanwhile, councilor Pe said that Playda has not reported to him for three weeks already saying that he was sick.

He said Playda told him he had been getting constant attacks of fever and appendicitis.

He also said he has confidential information to share to the police. — Flor Z. Perolina, Niña G. Sumacot and Ferliza Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)