Family of student found burned in La Union cry for justice

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has obtained CCTV footage which may help in the investigation of the death of a 21-year-old Baguio City student whose body was found burned in Bacnotan, La Union. 

According to the report on "24 Oras" by Jasmin Gabriel Galban of GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon, the parents of victim Mark Dave Valdez are seeking justice over the death of their only child, whom they described as a jolly person. 

“Hindi ko talaga matatanggap. Ang bait-bait ng anak ko. Ginanun lang. Ginanun lang nila,” Emidy Valdez, the victim’s mother, said. 

(I can never accept what they did to him. My son was kind.)

Authorities recovered the burned body of Mark Dave in a vacant lot in Barangay Quirino on July 2, a day after he told his parents he would return to Baguio City after spending going home to Pozorrubio, Pangasinan. 

The victim also was reportedly hit by a hard object on his head and forehead and has wounds believed to have been inflicted through an icepick. 

“Nag-iisang anak ko sya, hindi ko matanggap ang ginawa nila. Lalo na sinunog,” Alfonso Valdez, the victims father, said. 

(He’s my only child. I cannot accept what they did.)

The PNP said they are looking into three possible motives for the crime. They are also using the GPS on the vehicle the victim rented to trace the locations Mark Dave visited before his death. 

“Ang ginagawa ng ating chief of police at ng mga imbestigador natin ay tina-track na nila 'yung mga hinintuan at 'yung mga pinuntahan ng sasakyan,” La Union PPO PIO Police Lieutenant Colonel Jake Isidro. 

(The police are tracking the locations the rented car visited.)

Cops are also investigating the victims’ possible companions before his death. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News