Tao nakitang patay sa Merida

The Merida Police was alarmed 5 a.m. of July 8, Monday, when passers-by along the national highway called their attention to a lifeless body at Sitio Look, Brgy. Libas, Merida, Leyte.

PO2 Eutemio Baillo, the investigator on duty, said the victim was later identified as 29-year old Edward Zapanta, a native of Albuera, also in Leyte but known to have long been staying in Mabini St., Ormoc City. He was believed to be a victim of summary execution.

The victim sustained gunshot wounds on different parts of the body but mostly on the head. The police recovered 22 empty shells of caliber .45 at the crime scene.

PO2 Baillo added that Zapanta was known to have police records and was a former detainee at the Ormoc City Jail for robbery but the case was dismissed due to the non-appearance of the private complainant.

Upon police verification, Zapanta’s picture appeared in the rouge’s gallery of Police Station 1 as one who was suspected to have been engaged in robbery.

The cadaver was claimed at the Merida Rural Health Unit by Zapanta’s aunt Cely Barte who lives in Cantubo St., this city. A follow up operation is now being conducted by Merida police to identify the killer/s.