By CESAR JOLITO III

The decomposing body of a still unidentified woman was discovered in a vacant lot along Sofia Gonzaga Avenue in Bacolod City’s Barangay Estefania on Tuesday afternoon, July 1.

According to the initial police report, a local scrap collector found the remains at around 1:30 p.m.

Police Station 4 said the remains were approximately 10 to 15 meters from the main road.

In an interview with Bombo Radyo Bacolod, Police Major Elmer Bonilla said they have yet to determine the cause of death pending autopsy results.

Bonilla said the release of the postmortem examination results may take time, as the Scene of the Crime Operatives still need to conduct further examination.

Tissue samples must be sent to Camp Crame in Manila because forensic laboratories in the Negros Island Region — including those in Western Visayas and Cebu — lack the capability to perform such analyses.

No identification documents were found at the site, and investigators are working to review closed-circuit television footage from surrounding areas.

Bonilla said several families and groups of friends have come forward to the police station, hoping to identify the victim.

However, all leads have so far proven negative due to the victim’s clothing not matching the descriptions of missing persons.

“At this point, we are renewing our appeal to the public. If anyone has a missing relative, they are encouraged to coordinate directly with our police station to help us identify the victim,” Bonilla said./CJ, WDJ