Cops find headless bodies

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —Police found the remains of eight men who had been decapitated on a banca off Barangay Manicahan here Friday.

Senior Insp. Joel Lozano of the Sangali police said that five headless bodies were initially found but closer inspection revealed three more.

“When we further inspected the boat (on Saturday morning), we discovered more headless bodies beneath the floorboard,” Lozano said. All the remains, he added, were in an advanced state of decomposition.

Lozano said that among the bodies was that of a boy between 12 and 14.

He identified the victims, based on their relatives’ statements, as Jimmy, Benjie, Piyad, Palaji and Jeffrey, all surnamed Sanayani; Mursid Ambasali, Palari Buyong and Mastal Jaolani.

Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca, Western Mindanao police spokesperson, said the victims were the eight Badjao fishermen missing at sea after they were ambushed by unidentified armed men off Payao in Zamboanga Sibugay on Christmas Day.

He said the incident was still being investigated. Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao