By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The remains of a male individual who had been recovered by local fisherman in the Guimaras Strait in municipal waters belonging to Bacolod City was finally identified, Saturday.

Police Station 9 (PS9) commander, Police Major Ritchie Gohee identified the victim as 26-year-old Christian Ducay, a seaman apprentice and resident of Tabak, Bantayan island, Cebu.

Gohee said Ducay’s remains were positively identified by his mother who arrived in Bacolod City in order to claim the remains.

Based on the investigation carried out by police, Ducay was a crew of M/V Erson Menard, a cargo vessel.

Based on information provided to by the vessel’s captain to the Philippine Coast Guard, Ducay suffered a mental breakdown while underway between Iligan to Palawan.

Upon reaching near Apo Island in Siquijor, Ducay reportedly jumped off the ship.

The victim’s family, however, are not convinced by the captain’s statement and they believe there was foul play involved.

Ducay’s family have requested an autopsy in order to determine his cause of death, while arrangements are being made for the remains to be returned back to his home in Cebu.

Ducay’s mother also expressed her thanks to the local fishermen of Barangay Sum-ag for their help in recovering her son’s remains./DGB, WDJ