2 bodies found in abandoned Marikina house

MANILA, Philippines - The bodies of two unidentified men, believed to be victims of summary execution, were found in an abandoned house in Marikina City Thursday.

The victims were gagged with a handkerchief and their hands were tied behind their backs. Their bodies showed signs they were tortured before they were killed, investigators said.

Senior Inspector Eduardo Cayetano, who heads the Criminal Investigation Division of the Marikina police, said a “concerned citizen” sent them a text message telling them of two bodies at an unoccupied house on Malunggay street in Barangay Tumana.

Rommel Gaspar, a barangay official who was the first to respond to the scene, said the hands of the victims were tied together.

Cayetano said the first victim bore a spider web tattoo on his body and was clad in a white shirt and denim shorts. The second victim wore a black jersey and shorts. Both men were estimated to be between 30 and 40 years old.

A resident, Lorena Fronda, 40, said the house was abandoned since the monsoon rains caused a flash flood in August 2012.

Police officers are trying to find out the identities of the victims and why they were killed.