CEBU, Philippines – The already decomposing body of a woman was found by a shoe repairman floating in a mangrove swamp in Sitio Buot, Barangay Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City, around 6 a.m. yesterday.
Police estimated that the woman had been dead for about 10 days now.
Repairman Joel Gonzales said he went to a mangrove swamp to relieve himself when he detected a foul odor.
Gonzales followed his nose and came upon the dead body of the woman, at first he said he thought it was just a dead animal but upon closer inspection he found the remains were human.
"Abi nako og unsa unya lain man kaayo og baho, pagtanaw nako tao man diay," he said, added that he immediately called for assistance from the residents nearby.
The woman was estimated to be 23 to 25 years old and five feet tall. She was wearing a yellow spaghetti blouse but with no skirt while her undergarments were intact. She still had a black shoulder bag slung at her right shoulder.
SPO2 Rolito Jumaoas of Lapu-Lapu City Police Station said they searched the bag but it contained no ID or documents that may identify the corpse.
"Maglisod mi og trace kung taga-asa ug kinsa gyud ni siya kay wala man mi documents nga nakitan sa iyang bag," he said.
He also said they cannot determine if there is any foul play in her death until the autopsy result.
The cadaver was brought to the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes for autopsy while the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office is still conducting further investigation. (FREEMAN)