14-year-old boy found dead in Compostela

CEBU, Philippines - The body of a 14-year-old boy was found at a shallow river in barangay Mulao, Compostela town dawn the other day.

The fatality was identified as Gregorio Maroliña, a resident of barangay Licos in Danao City. Maroliña reportedly worked as a caretaker of the animals of one Silvano Laag, a tanod of barangay Mulao.

Initial investigation revealed Maroliña was nowhere to be found since last Sunday until Laag himself found the victim’s body around 4:30 am last Monday. Laag then sought the help of authorities to retrieve Maroliña’s body.

Police found telephone wires near the boy’s body, which made them suspect that he might have used the wires to catch fish through electrocution. The method, which uses electric wires attached to a battery, is commonly called electroshock fishing.

Police said it is possible that Maroliña could have electrocuted himself instead, which led to his untimely death. 

Laag’s house is barely 30 meters away from the river.

SPO1 Enrique Losbaños of the Compostela police said foul play is one of the angles looked into by the investigation. – Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO    (FREEMAN NEWS)