LAAK, Davao de Oro – The suspect behind the gruesome killing of 15-year-old Beby Trudes Engada, whose decomposing remains were discovered inside an abandoned house in Barangay Poblacion last month, has been arrested and is now under police custody.
The announcement was made by Laak Mayor Mark Anthony “Honeyboy” Libuangan on Monday, November 10, 2025, who confirmed that the Laak Municipal Police Station, led by Police Captain Melvin Celis, successfully apprehended the suspect.
“Congratulations sa atong mga PNP sa lungsod sa Laak headed by Captain Melvin Celis kay naa najud sa custody sa PNP ang suspect,” Mayor Libuangan said in a Facebook post. He vowed that the local government, together with law enforcement and military units, would ensure justice for the slain teenager.
“Maningkamot jud mi Laakeños kauban atong kapulisan ug kasundalohan nga makuha ang hustisya permi sa mga biktima sa krimen ug madakpan ning mga animala ni,” the mayor declared, expressing both relief and outrage over the crime that shocked the quiet municipality.
Authorities have yet to release the suspect’s identity and possible motive for the killing. Police investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the crime.
The arrest comes two weeks after the decomposing body of Engada, who had been missing since April 17, 2025, was discovered by a resident, Ruel Labadan, inside an abandoned house in Purok 3A, Barangay Poblacion. Labadan alerted the authorities after noticing a foul odor coming from the area.
The victim was identified by her mother, Evangeline Hebolingo Engada, and the case was turned over to the Provincial Forensic Unit of the Davao de Oro Police Provincial Office for post-mortem examination.
The tragic discovery sent waves of grief throughout the community, as residents mourned the loss of a young girl they had long hoped would return home safely.
With the arrest of the suspect, residents of Laak are now looking to the police and the courts to deliver long-overdue justice for Beby Trudes Engada — a young life cut short, but whose memory continues to move an entire town to demand accountability and peace.