Two bodies found in Malabon canal

The bodies of two men, who were each stabbed at least 25 times in the chest, were found one on top of the other in a narrow canal early yesterday morning in Malabon City.

Superintendent Vladimir Villasenor, Northern Police District Scene of the Crime Operations (NPD SOCO) chief, described the first victim as about 5’6" tall, of small built, brown complexioned, with straight hair, with cartoon characters tattooed on his back and both arms.

The second victim was about 5’7", of medium-built, brown-skinned and with curly hair.

Cursory investigation showed both bodies sustained multiple puncture wounds apparently caused by an ice pick. The weapon used was missing at the crime scene.

The victims were also found with ligature marks on their necks indicating they could have been strangled.

Senior Inspector Domingo Alminana, SOCO team leader, said the victims could have been killed between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. yesterday.

Alminana said droplets of blood were seen about one and a half yards from the canal where they were thrown, suggesting they were killed in the last one to two hours. The police called for SOCO assistance at around 5:30 a.m.

The officer said the victims wrists also showed they either could have been handcuffed or tied with a rope.

Initial investigation showed the bodies were found at around 5:30 a.m. yesterday.

Johnny Zapanta of 366 Samson Road was jogging along J.P. Bautista street when he saw the two bodies floating in the murky canal.

Zapanta quickly reported his find to the Barangay Hall of Potrero on duty tanods, who in turn informed Chief Inspector Redjie Aldueso, PCP 2 group commander and his men quickly responded.

Aldueso cordoned off the area and called Station Investigation and Detection Management Section (SIDMS) to investigate. Malabon police chief Superintendent Moises "Kamagong" Guevarra rushed to the area to see the victims.

PO3 Benedicto Zafra, officer-on-case, residents failed to identify both victims indicating they were not natives of the place.

The report also said no witnesses were willing to testify to the police.

SOCO operatives said they do not believe no one saw the dumping of the bodies as a building being guarded by uniformed security guards stood just some 50 meters away from the darkened portion of the area where the bodies were thrown. — With Pete Laude