By CESAR JOLITO III

A 48-year-old laborer was found dead beneath a creek at Barangay Masulog in Negros Occidental’s La Castellana on Tuesday afternoon, June 24.

The victim, identified by authorities only as “Toto,” was a resident of Sitio Marta in the same barangay.

La Castellana police said the body discovery was reported by a barangay chairman at around 4:00 p.m. after a resident stumbled upon the lifeless body while on his way to hunt frogs in Sitio Balingasag.

The victim, wearing only black shorts, was lying beneath a creek, a witness said.

Due to unfavorable weather conditions and the hazardous terrain, barangay rescue personnel immediately retrieved the body.

Subsequent verification by authorities confirmed the victim’s identity.

The remains were later transferred to a funeral home in Moises Padilla.

Police have yet to determine the cause of death as further investigation is ongoing./CCJ, WDJ