Male beautician found strangled in room

MANILA, Philippines—Gagged and half-naked, a male beautician was found dead Saturday morning inside the room he rented in Quezon City in what police believe was a robbery.

Case investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Eric Lazo said Angel Rivas Cruz, 34, was already dead when his body was discovered around 9:50 a.m. in his room at a house on Ascension Street in  Barangay Lagro.

Cruz was clad only in a t-shirt, a white face towel was stuffed in his mouth  and his hands were bound behind his back with a piece of wire. His neck bore strangulation marks, Lazo said.

Upon closer inspection, according to the investigator, Cruz’s family discovered that the victim’s cash, wallet, cell phone and portable DVD player were missing.

The landlord, Jay Jay Marquez, said he went to the victim’s room to check on him and noticed that the door was ajar, revealing the motionless body inside.

Lazo learned that Cruz was last seen alive  around 9 p.m. Friday with a man.

Police have invited for questioning the male companion to shed light on the victim’s death.