'Chop-chop' man's body found in La Trinidad

Itogon, Benguet, Philippines  – The body of a man whose severed hands, feet, and ears were found in various areas in Baguio City and La Trinidad town has been identified by his family after it was found at the base of a cliff last Sept. 2.

Police said Nixon Lucas’ body, stuffed into a jute sack, was found 150 meters below a cliff along Ambuclao Road in La Trinidad, near a waterway.

Lucas was reportedly “snatched” by unidentified men in the first week of June. Baguio residents talked of a “vigilante” out to do a “cleansing” campaign to rid the city of pickpockets. Police, however, said Lucas has no derogatory record.

On June 9, Lucas’ right foot – chopped off at the ankle – was left on top of a telephone booth in front of a restaurant along Burnham Park’s Lake Drive. Hours earlier, his right hand was also found at the same spot.

On the same day, Lucas’ other foot was found at the Hilltop public market and his right hand in front of a bazaar at the corner of Magsaysay Avenue and Upper Gen. Luna Road.