Body of missing cop found with signs of torture

CEBU, Philippines - A police officer who had gone missing for two days was found dead Friday evening near a private firing range in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City.

Police Officer 2 Ryan Casiban, 38, resident of Sitio Masiwa, Barangay Marigondon, mysteriously disappeared from Cordova Police Station, where he was assigned as desk officer, on August 10.

  Casiban allegedly left the police station at 3 a.m. on Wednesday onboard a government-owned motorcycle bringing with him an M16 rifle.

Before he left the police station, Casiban reportedly wrote on the blotter "2:40 a.m. General Garbo and General Loot are drug syndicate of the Phils."

The motorcycle and the M16 rifle were later found abandoned in Sitio Naga, Barangay Babag II, Lapu-Lapu City.

Senior Inspector Zosimo Jaban Jr., former Cordova Police Station chief, said he allegedly received a call from Casiban Wednesday dawn asking for help because he was being followed by the men of a certain Atan Tajanlangit.

The police officer allegedly wanted to surrender before President Rodrigo Duterte, claiming that his life was in danger. Since then nothing was heard of him until he was found dead.

Senior Inspector Alcon Escosura, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office homicide chief, said a certain Anauran Amistad discovered Casiban's body, which was already in advance state of decomposition, near the Wonderland Firing Range.

Despite the body's condition, it was positively identified by Casiban's mother, Marilou.

"Nag-type B siya og gisul-ob. White shirt ug pants. Walay open wounds sa kamot. Intact gihapon ang iyahang service firearm, duha ka magazine ug posas," Escosura said.

His cellphone was also recovered from the crime scene. Homicide investigators found traces of blood on Casiban's head and signs of possible torture because of the absence of his toenails.

Escosura said they could not conclude yet whether there was foul play in Casiban's death pending the results of the autopsy.

"We will wait for the result of the autopsy as his body was in a state of decomposition," he said.

Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño earlier ordered the search for Casiban after his mysterious disappearance.   (FREEMAN)