ORMOC CITY– A 40-year-old farmer was found dead near an electric drop wire in a rice field in Barangay Ichon, Purok Binog, Macrohon, Southern Leyte, late Saturday evening, June 14.
Authorities suspect electrocution as the cause of death.
The victim, identified by police as alias “Tonyo,” single and a resident of the same barangay, was discovered lifeless by family members at around 10:17 pm.
According to the Macrohon Municipal Police Station, they received a message via Facebook Messenger at about 1:10 am reporting a suspected electrocution. Responding officers found the victim lying motionless near a live electrical drop wire in a nearby rice field.
Initial investigation revealed that the victim had earlier attended a drinking session at the home of a certain alias “Louie” with his parents. When his mother, alias “Digna,” returned home later that evening, she noticed that her son was missing. She and her husband later found him unresponsive in the field.
Police said the victim may have returned to the drinking venue on his own and decided to take a shortcut through a slippery rice field that included a bamboo footpath.
It is believed he slipped and accidentally grabbed a live electrical drop wire in an attempt to regain balance. Officers noted burn marks on the fingers of his right hand, consistent with electrocution.
The Macrohon Municipal Health Officer was called to the scene and officially declared the victim dead. A post-mortem examination was requested, and his body was transported home by personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection.
Investigation is ongoing.
(ROBERT DEJON)
