Bodies of summary execution victims found on North Cotabato roadside

MAKILALA, Philippines – The bodies of three people, two of them believed to be teenagers, were found beside the national highway here Friday morning – apparently victims of summary execution.

The victims, with hands bound and bullet holes in each of the heads, were discovered by a farmer pasturing his carabao (water buffalo), according to an entry in the police blotter.

In its report, the SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operatives) from nearby Kidapawan City said the authorities had not been able to identify the type of firearms used in killing the victims, who also had not yet been identified.

Two of the victims appeared to be teenagers while the other one was believed to be 20-25 years old, the Soco report said.

Authorities said the victims’ remains were taken to the Torreda Funeral Parlor here so that relatives could claim them.