By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The skeletal remains of a man were discovered yesterday in a shallow grave at Sitio Luho in Barangay Cabacungan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

Police confirmed the skeleton belonged to Juancho Barutag, a resident of the said barangay.

Based on a radio report yesterday morning, a farmer in the area was working in the fields and, while digging a hole, discovered a skull, prompting them to contact the local barangay captain, Ismael Villanueva, who in turn got in touch with police.

Police soon arrived to conduct an investigation and made the verification after family raced to the area and positively identified the victim based on his clothes and long hair.

According to the victim’s family, in February of this year, Barutag said he was going to gather banana hearts for food, however, he failed to come home and was presumed to be missing.

Police suspect foul play over Barutag’s death and are presently conducting a post-mortem examination./DGB, WDJ