Police identify dismembered body in Iloilo

The identity of the dismembered body discovered in several areas in Iloilo province has been confirmed, according to a "24 Oras" report by Kim Salinas on Tuesday.

The victim was identified as 32-year-old Kristopher Cabalquinto, who was last seen on November 2.

“Parang may scar siya na hindi naman malaki, pero makikita. Meron din [ang katawan]. Ang mga kuko niya sa paa at kamay, pareho talaga. Sa dami nilang pumunta [sa punerarya], walang may nagsabi na hindi siya. Siya talaga, 100% na siya,” said the victims’ mother Felisa Cabalquinto.

Police reports said that the victim’s body was chopped into small pieces and scattered in random areas in Iloilo.

A sack containing two of his arms were allegedly dropped off by a white van found by a passersby in Barangay Ticud La Paz, Iloilo on Monday.

“Bumaba ako sa bike at tiningnan. Akala ko pusa, pero braso na pala ng tao,” said witness Adver Jadulos, who discovered the body.

“Nakasalubong ko sila. Mabagal ang takbo nila ng makasalubong ko, pero ang van ay tinted ang glass. Hindi makikita ang tao. Hindi rin makita ang plate number,” said another witness ‘Dodoy’.

Another sack containing the rest of the headless body was found by a floodway in Barangay Buhang, Jaro-Jaro with a carton bearing the message ‘Ibalik ang kamay na bakal. Babala sa mga pusher. Merry Christmas 2023.’

“Akala ko basura lang siya diyan sa kalsada. Itinabi ko. Nakita ko may mga paa kaya hindi ko na ginalaw,” said witness Tirso Acosta.

The police are now looking into illegal drugs and crime of passion possible motives behind the crime, which they marked as an isolated case.

“Hindi pa natin masasabi na kumakatay ang may gawa nito, kasi kung titingnan mo alam niya eh. Malinis ang gawa niya. Malapad ang sa tiyan, maliit na kutsilyo [ang ginamit]. Kung isang tao lang [ang gumawa nito], hindi naman siguro kaya,” said Jaro Police Station chief Major Eduardo Siacon Jr. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News