Hungarian national found dead in Macabalan seaport (Philippines)

A Hungarian national was found dead inside a restroom at the seaport in Barangay Macabalan early Wednesday morning, police said. Macabalan police chief Hermes Parnes identified the victim as Bartos Istvan, about 57 years old, who was supposedly bound for Cebu.

Parnes said Istvan was discovered dead by a janitor who told police investigators that Istvan went inside the toilet on the night of Tuesday. But when the janitor returned to clean the restroom the next day, he discovered Istvan sitting lifeless on the toilet bowl. Initial investigations showed Istvan had bruises on his back, prompting authorities to probe possible foul play involved in the incident. But police investigators, Parnes said, recovered several medicines inside his luggage, which brought in another angle that the victim could’ve been ill causing his death.

The Scene of the Crime Operatives has yet to conduct an autopsy of the victim’s body to determine the cause of death. The victim’s remains have been brought to Bollozos Funeral parlor in Bulua.

Police investigators also said Istvan used another name — Bertos Mehale — as it appeared on his boat ticket. Police said this would be included in their investigations including Istvan’s purpose in staying in the country and why he was bound for Cebu. Investigations also showed that Istvan incurred a debt of P30,000 for rental fees at an inn in Corrales St.

Senior Police Officer 1 Randy Estrada of Macabalan police said Istvan had no companion when he was at the port. He added that Macabalan police has no information on whether Istvan left any personal belongings in the inn where he stayed. Estrada said the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) police responded first since the incident happened in their jurisdiction. The PPA police turned over to the Soco the personal items that were found, Estrada said. He said it’s now up to the Soco to contact Istvan’s relatives or the Embassy of Hungary in Manila to inform it of his death.

Source: sunstar.com.ph