A man who was found dead in a grassy area near a piggery in Panglao town on Wednesday afternoon has been identified by authorities.

Patrolman Gerard Rollon of the Panglao Police Station said that lifeless man was 70-year-old Verino Villaber of Barangay Danao, Panglao as confirmed by the fatality’s daughter, Michelle.

Villaber had not been seen by his family for nearly two weeks, Rollon said, adding that his body was already in an advanced state of decomposition when it was found by one Jeffrey Lagaran, an employee of a nearby piggery, at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

The victim’s family did not file a report that he had gone missing as they told authorities that Villaber usually did not go home for days to visit relatives.

According to Rollon, they have not determined the cause of death as they awaited for an autopsy request from the family, who believed that Villaber died of natural causes.  

“As of gabii wala pa miy cause of death sa biktima pero ang mga tagtungod nagpahibaw nato na ilang amahan usually maglakaw-lakaw na dugay mauli dugay mabalik wala man kunoy dalang mga valuables so murag gi disregard nila naa naay [foul play], basin kuno’g gi atake ba or unsa,” he said.

Rollon said that the victim may have urinated before he died which could explain why his body was found in a grassy area. However, police are still continuing their investigation to identify other circumstances behind his death including the cause. (R. Tutas)