2 found dead in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY , Philippines —  Two elderly persons were found dead in a house in Oton, Iloilo on Saturday.

Police have yet to identify the man and the woman, who were assumed to be in their 70’s and 60’s, respectively.

The bodies were found in a house owned by Royce Fantilanan, who leased it to a certain Jessie.

Neighbors said they did not see the occupants of the house until after the bodies were discovered by a boy who passed by the area at around noon.

The boy said he saw the man slumped at the porch.

He reported the matter to the village watchman Rafael Patches, who went to the house to check the information.

Patches found the woman in the room and informed the village officials, who sought the help of the local police.

Neighbors said they saw a white van and a motorcycle leaving the property the night before the bodies were discovered.

Police said the victims died of strangulation and their bodies bore scratches.

The victims may have been dead for eight to 12 hours before they were found, according to Lt. Larry John Vidal, Oton police chief.

Probers found seven identification cards at the scene, bearing the names of Antonio Cabanatan of Capiz and Pastor Macatimbag with addresses in Samar and Cebu.