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Police say members of a family who were bonding on the beach found the body of the 20-year-old college student half-buried in sand
PANGASINAN, Philippines – The Pangasinan State University (PSU) on Wednesday, September 25, condemned the murder of one of its students whose body was found at a tourist spot near the capitol complex.
The body of 20-year-old college student, Evalend Salting, of Barangay Sabling in Anda, Pangasinan, was found half-buried in sand on Tuesday evening, September 24.
Salting, a 3rd year business administration student at the PSU, had been reported missing since Sunday night, September 23.
The university community said it was “devastated” over the death of Salting “whose life was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence.
“This senseless act of violence is not only a loss to the victim’s family and friends but to the entire PSU Lingayen Community. We condemn this act in the strongest possible terms and are committed to ensuring that justice is served,” read part of the state university’s statement.
Salting’s body was found just a few meters behind the “See Pangasinan” beach marker along the Lingayen Baywalk, near the capitol complex.
Although a popular tourist spot, the Lingayen Baywalk has become a “place of fear,” according to netizens who have repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of functioning streetlights, leaving the area in darkness.
Lieutenant Colonel Amor Mio Somime of the Lingayen police told local broadcaster Aksyon Radyo Pangasinan that Salting’s body was discovered by members of a family who were bonding on the beach at around 6:16 pm on Tuesday.
“May naapakan sila sa buhangin. Nang bungkalin ay katawan ng tao kaya itinawag agad,” he said.
(They stepped on something in the sand. When they dug it up, it was a human body, so they called immediately.)
Police immediately rushed over to the crime scene, where the victim was half-buried in a prone position.
Authorities said her clothes were wet, apparently because of the waves or the rain prior to the discovery of the body.
Somine said a wound was found in the victim’s head, but authorities were waiting for the results of an autopsy about the cause of death.
While waiting for the official autopsy report, the murder case prompted the local police to call for a command conference on Wednesday.
Somine said they have already collected statements from individuals related to the victim.
While there are currently leads, Somine said they are still investigating the matter.
“Masyado pang maaga upang maka-identify tayo ng person o persons of interest,” he said.
(It’s still too early for us to identify a person or persons of interest.) – Rappler.com
