Cops zero in on 3 locals as suspects in Liu's death

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Police have zeroed in on three locals as possible suspects in the death of drug case witness Bernard Liu.

“Kining duha klaro na pero kining usa medyo hanap-hanap pa,” SPO4 Daniel Tarucan told The FREEMAN. 

Tarucan said robbery remains the focus of the investigation, as far as motive of the killing is concerned. Tarucan, however, said they are not discounting other possible angles.

Provincial Police Director Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador said the three possible suspects are “local boys” that Liu might have known personally.

“Taga-diha ra na possible kaila ra na niya,” Comendador said.

Autopsy results revealed that Liu died of horizontal strangulation, based on strangulation marks on his neck. He also had a wound on the head, which might have been caused by a blunt object, said PNP medico legal officer Dr. Joe Martin Fuentes.

Fuentes also said Liu should have been dead for at least two weeks, but not exceeding a month, when his body was found at his house last week. This was evidenced by the presence of decomposers in the victim’s body. The body already lost most of its tissues.

Fuentes also clarified that what appeared to be “oil” on Liu’s body was just a result of petrifaction, a natural process of decomposition of a body of a dead animal that turns the body’s color to “dark brown.”

Liu’s body was in the state of decomposition when found by the police inside his house in Naya Subdivision, Barangay Tangke, Talisay City. His neighbors reportedly noticed the foul smell coming from his residence.

 Liu once testified before the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs in 2001 against his former employer businessman Peter Go Lim and his brother Wellington. (FREEMAN)