Investigators consider foul play in mountaineer's death in Mt. Maculot

Nearly a year after a mountaineer was found dead at the bottom of a cliff in Mount Maculot in Batangas province, investigators are looking at evidence that may indicate foul play in his death.

National Bureau of Investigation-Environmental Crime Division head Sixto Comia said they revisited the area where Victor Joel Ayson was found after the parents asked the NBI to do so.

"Hindi talaga sila mapanatag, ayaw nilang i-rule out ang foul play," he told GMA News Online in a phone interview.

Cuenca police had already ruled out foul play. The Philippine National Police crime lab also confirmed that Ayson fell off the cliff.

"Ang cause of death ay blunt traumatic injuries of the body, consistent with fall from height," said Police Chief Inspector Joseph Palmero of the PNP Crime Laboratory-Medico Legal Division.

In ruling out foul play in Ayson's death, Palmero said: "We believe it is an accidental fall. Wala pong indikasyon na sinaktan siya."

However, Comia said they have found potential evidence that suggests foul play may have been involved.

"Ni-recreate namin ang scene. Nagtapon kami ng baboy kung saan maaaring nahulog si Ayson," he said.

Comia explained that during the reenactment of the incident, the pig fell in an area far from where Ayson's body was recovered. "[Mga] 160 to 200 meters away ito, napakalayo ng lokasyon," he added.

He, however, declined to comment further when asked if Ayson's body may have been moved before it was found. "Sa Lunes pa lalabas ang full report," he said.

He also mentioned that Ayson's underwear and a suspected weapon—a rock inside a plastic bag—were found near the camp site.

Comia said Ayson's underwear was missing when the body was found. "Na-confirm ng parents na sa biktima 'yon," he said.

He, however, to declined to explain further. "Hindi muna ako puwede gumawa ng teorya," he said. — JDS, GMA News