No signs of torture on Casiban’s body

Barrack James Casiban, 7, son of PO2 Ryan Casiban wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and enter the police force when he grows up. (CDN PHOTO/NORMAN MENDOZA)

POLICE investigators have found no traces of torture on the body of PO2 Ryan Casiban.

Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, deputy director for operations of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said the autopsy conducted on Casiban’s body revealed that the missing portions of the latter’s fingers and toes may have been caused by “carnivorous and scavenger animals.”

“His body was found in a bushy place. Perhaps, rats and snakes ate some of his limbs,” he told reporters.

“There were no signs of struggle on his body, so to speak,” Lawas said.

According to the autopsy report, Casiban may have been killed on the evening of August 10.

Casiban’s decomposing body was found two days later on a vacant lot near a firing range in Lapu-Lapu City with a bullet wound in the head.

Lawas said they could not conclude yet whether or not the policeman committed suicide or was killed.

Investigation

Lawas said Casiban’s alleged handwritten note on the blotter as well as his cellular phone will be examined.

Casiban was seen in a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage in the boundary of Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova town past 4 a.m. last August 10.

After which, he sent a text message to Senior Insp. Zosimo Jabas Jr., the former police chief of Cordova, saying he’s on board a jeepney going to Carbon Market in Cebu City.

Lawas said they are trying to locate where Casiban bought a banana that he ate, some parts of which were found near his body.

“Maybe, the vendor can help us in the investigation,” he said.

The place where Casiban’s dead body was found is located about 200 meters from his house in Lapu-Lapu City.

Lawas said they received an information that Casiban used to go to the place to catch spiders before he became a policeman.

“He knows the place very well,” he said.

Lawas said they are collating all pieces of evidence that could help them solve the mystery behind Casiban’s death.

Burial

Casiban was finally laid to rest yesterday morning at the Mactan Island Memorial Garden in Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.

His family, friends and colleagues from the Cordiva Police Station attended the burial and requiem mass.

Casiban was given a gun salute by his colleagues.

His wife, Chona, thanked all those who sympathized with them and to the police who are investigating the circumstances of her husband’s death.

“Ang among pangayo-on ang hustisya sa iyang kamatayon ug hinaot nga amo kining maangkon. (We want justice for his death and are hopeful that we will get it),” she said.

Casiban is survived by his wife and four children aged six to 14.

His seven-year-old son, Barrack James, said he would like to follow in his father’s footsteps and enter the police force.