DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/15 December) — A scavenger found parts of female body in plastic bags at the Davao City landfill in New Carmen, Tugbok District on Wednesday, Supt. Antonio Rivera, chief of the Davao City Police Office Investigation Detection Management Branch, said.
Rivera said the 31-year old Ronnie Caba discovered the body parts.
“Wala pa namu nahibal-an kung kinsa ning biktima kay ginapangita pa ang ubang parte sa lawas,” (We have not identified the victim because we’re still looking for her other parts), Rivers said.
The victim was later identified as Telepid Ope Manlatas, 20, a member of the Ata tribe and a resident of Barangay Dagohoy in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
Lorna Umalin and Panlao Arolan, Manlatas’ relatives, identified Manlatas.
Caba said that around 12 noon he was busy looking for recycable materials in the dumpsite when he noticed a white sack, silver sandal and red plastic garbage bags.
“Pag-abli naku nakuratan ko kay putol-putol nga lawas akong nakit-an” (When I opened, I saw body parts instead.
Rivera said the body parts came from the dumptruck driven by Joy Ortis.
The truck hauled garbage in Buhangin district.
Caba said the young Manlatas, around 17 to 20 years old, may have been mauled before she was chopped into parts, since her eyes were swollen and her face was bruised. (MindaNews)
