Truck drivers found dead separately in Negros Occidental

Hours after the body of a truck driver was found in Talisay City in the Province of Negros Occidental, another body was found in La Carlota City which is approximately 57 kilometers away. 

The two truck drivers are said to be co-workers, but were dumped separately. 

The body of Mar Jun Bandala was discovered in Barangay Zone 15, Talisay City in the morning of October 3, 2024, while the body of Armando Sepocado, Jr. was found in Barangay Haguimit, La Carlota City. 

Sepocado’s body was seen in a truck loaded with construction supplies. He sustained gunshot wounds. 

“Bale nagapungko (siya) sa likod sang passenger side. Gahapa na ang iya nga body. May mga gunshot wounds sa lawas. May mga recoveries kami sang empty shell sang caliber 45 (Bale nakaupo (siya) sa likod ng passenger side. Nakadapa ang kanyang body. May gunshot wounds sa katawan. May recoveries kami ng empty shell ng caliber 45),” according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Lymel John Pasquin, chief of the La Carlota City Police Station. 

The La Carlota City Police coordinated with the Talisay City Police and confirmed that the two worked for the same company. 

“Na-confirm ta nga updanay si Mar Jun, victim diri sa Talisay, kag si Armando ang victim didto sa La Carlota (Na-confirm natin na magkasama si Mar Jun, victim dito sa Talisay, at si Armando, ang victim doon sa La Carlota),” said Talisay City Police Station Deputy Chief, Police Major Jun Ray Batadlan. 

The investigation established that the two truck drivers are set to travel to Manila. A yet undetermined amount of money is missing reportedly, as of this writing. 

The authorities have identified a person of interest. 

“Meron na kami isang nakuha na person of interest. Accordingly, before nangyari ang lahat ng yun, magkakasama sila. In fact, di masyado iba sa kanila yung kasama nila,” Colonel Rainerio de Chavez, director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, said. —GMA Regional TV News