Body of kidnapped banana plantation worker found in Davao del Sur

DIGOS CITY, Philippines — The banana plantation worker kidnapped from General Santos City on February 16 was found dead inside a banana plantation in Malalag, Davao del Sur, on Sunday, the police said.

Senior Superintendent Ronaldo Llanera, Davao del Sur provincial police director, said the decomposing body of Mohammad Manampad, a resident of Barangay (village) Batomelong in General Santos City, was discovered by a laborer of AMS-MFI plantation in Barangay Bolton late Sunday.

He said the victim was identified through his company ID.

Llanera said Manampad’s body bore torture marks and gunshot wounds.

Manampad was heading for work on February 16 when he was abducted by five men riding in a van.

The men, armed with M-16 rifles, beat Manampad with wooden clubs before whisking him to the van, a witness said.

Llanera said they were coordinating with the General Santos City police in investigating the discovery of Manampad’s body in Davao del Sur.