Man’s remains unearthed five months after murder

The remains of a 54-year-old man were unearthed in an abandoned house in barangay Lipata, Minglanilla town, southern Cebu.

Alberto Navarro, who was reportedly a homosexual, had been missing since May 15 until his body was found last Friday afternoon.

The owner of the abandoned house, Richard Mandal, was arrested by police and admitted to the murder. Police said Mandal and Navarro had a relationship.

Mandal previously claimed that he didn’t know where Navarro was when the victim’s family went to his house looking for the missing relative.

Gallen Navarro, the victim’s brother, reported the disappearance to the Talisay City police  last May 23.

The victim’s relatives became suspicious when a neighbor of Mandal informed them last Friday that the suspect borrowed a spade a few days after Navarro disappeared.

Mandal told the neighbor that he would use the tool in making a septic tank.

After receiving the information, police went to the man’s abandoned house. Policemen saw traces of fresh diggings under a stair of the house where the victim’s body was later found buried.

Police conducted a follow-up operation and arrested Mandal.

A charge of murder will be filed against Mandal on Monday, said SPO4 Daniel Tarucan, investigator of the Talisay City police.

In his confession, Mandal told police that last May 15, he and Navarro had a drinking session in his house in sitio Linao. The drinking bout lasted until the morning.

Mandal said when they got drunk, Navarro started touching his private parts.

Mandal said he lost his temper  when Navarro insisted on touching him and struck him with a piece of wood.

Chief Insp. Joe Martin Fuentes, medico legal officer, said the victim had bruises in the neck./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON