By CESAR JOLITO III
The Police Regional Office in Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has mobilized a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to lead the probe into the discovery of three bodies in Negros Occidental’s Talisay City on Monday, August 11.
PRO-NIR Director Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay said the SITG will consolidate intelligence, coordinate with forensic experts, and oversee all investigative efforts to establish the identities of the victims and uncover the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
“These incidents are deeply concerning. We are conducting a thorough, methodical and coordinated investigation to ensure all angles are examined and every lead is pursued,” Ibay said.
He assured that PRO-NIR is fully committed to resolving the incidents and safeguarding the peace and security of Negros Island communities.
“Rest assured, every available resource is being mobilized to determine the truth and to hold those responsible accountable,” he added.
Police have yet to determine if the deaths of the three persons were related to each other.
The first victim, believed to be between 45 and 50 years old, was found at around 2:20 a.m. beside a sugarcane field in Barangay Concepcion’s Hacienda San Isidro.
An abandoned motorcycle and helmet were recovered beside the remains.
At 9:00 a.m., another decomposing male body wearing blue shorts was discovered in Hacienda Minuluan Mendoza, Barangay Matab-ang.
Identified
At 2:00 p.m., a man was found dead inside a sugarcane plantation in Hacienda San Isidro, with personal belongings and a kitchen knife recovered at the scene.
PRO-NIR spokesperson Lt. Colonel Joem Malong earlier identified the victim as 48-year-old Mars Relles, a resident of Villa Soledad in Bacolod City’s Barangay Estefania.
According to police records, Relles served a 10-year prison term at the Bacolod City Jail for a murder case.
He was freed from the detention facility in December 2023.
Malong said Relles was also a victim of a stabbing incident in March of this year in Bacolod’s Barangay Estefania.
PRO-NIR is still waiting for Relles’ post-mortem examination results, along with the two other victims.
Meanwhile, Scene of the Crime Operatives and the Talisay police are pursuing all possible leads in the discovery of the remains.
Authorities are appealing to the public to immediately report any information that may help identify the victims or shed light on the cases.
Visibility
Meanwhile, Talisay City Mayor Rowena Lizares has urged the local police to increase visibility in the city following the grim discoveries.
Lizares assured residents that authorities are closely monitoring the cases and will remain vigilant until they are resolved.
She emphasized that public safety remains a top priority for the city government but also called on residents to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious activities to the police./CJ, WDJ