The body of a man, riddled with gunshot wounds, was found on the side of a bypass road in Vigan City.

Two men who stopped to relieve themselves found the body. 

The body was covered with plastic, and the man's shorts were pulled down. According to the police, the body may have just been dumped at the location.

A follow-up investigation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) identified the victim as a farmer from Barangay Subadi, Burgos, Ilocos Sur. 

It was the brother who identified the victim positively after the police posted his photo on social media.

The victim sustained 11 gunshot wounds in different parts of his body. Except for a phone charger in his pocket, no other personal belongings were found.

PLTCOL Reynaldo Mendoza Jr., Chief of Vigan City Police Station, said the victim had been involved previously in illegal drugs, was arrested in a buy-bust operation, and served five years in prison.

“Sabi ng kapatid [ng biktima] na-acquit ata — na-acquit yung kaso niya — pero wala pa kaming pinanghahawakan kung bakit na-acquit,” Mendoza said.

There is no known motive or suspect in the crime, as of this writing. 

Authorities continue to review closed circuit television (CCTV) footage from cameras nearby for possible leads.