Bodies of 2 women found off Alegria

CEBU, Philippines - The bloated bodies of two unidentified women were found floating by fishermen in the sea off Sitio Malbog, Barangay Poblacion, Alegria town, Wednesday afternoon.

Both bodies were already in an advanced state of decomposition and were estimated to have been in the water for about three to five days, police said.

Police also could not yet determine if both cadavers were relatives and if they were killed or if they drowned accidentally, pending autopsy results.

It was fisherman Andres Glinogo, 60, who discovered the first body when he went fishing in the area around 4 p.m. He then sought help from chief tanod Allan Kagakit who then called other fishermen to help take the cadaver to shore.

Police Officer 3 Juanito Yunting described the cadaver as between 20 to 25 years old, approximately five feet tall, of medium build, with white complexion and wearing a blue blouse and a pair of skinny pants with a pink leather belt. The body also had silver rings on her left ring finger and right middle finger, and had a silver bracelet on her left wrist.

A few hours later, the cadaver of another woman was found by another fisherman just a few meters away from where the first cadaver was discovered.

Kagakit, along with other fishermen, helped in bringing the body to the shore.

Yunting described the second cadaver, which was found without both hands and feet, as about 20 to 25 years old, five feet tall, of medium build, with fair complexion, and wearing only her lower undergarments.

“Ang una intact tanan sinina pero ang ikaduha nag-panty na lang unya ingon ana man gyud kuno na og madugay na sa dagat kay possible gikaon na sa isda unya bawod-bawod pud,” Yunting said in a phone interview.

Yunting could not determine other identifying marks on both victims as the bodies were already bloated and decomposing.

The cadavers are now at the St. Anne Funeral Services in Barangay Poblacion, Badian town, for proper disposition. People with missing friends or relatives were advised to come forward to possibly identify the bodies.

Police are also now coordinating with the neighboring police stations as well as the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office for possible missing persons reports. —/BRP (FREEMAN)