LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — A shocking livestock theft and slaughter incident has alarmed residents of Barangay Limook after 27 heads of cattle were reported missing, with three found brutally butchered in Sitio Larbeco early Saturday morning, January 10, 2026.
The cattle are owned by Basil Sarabil, a resident of Barangay Sengal, who discovered the incident at dawn when he went to check on his animals. What he found left him devastated — three cows had been slaughtered, with only their internal organs left at the scene, while 22 others were nowhere to be found. Only two cows were found alive, grazing in a nearby pasture.
“I couldn’t believe what I saw. The cows were gone, and those that were left had been butchered,” Sarabil said in an initial account to authorities.
Later in the day, additional body parts believed to be from the missing cattle were recovered in another area of Barangay Limook, reinforcing suspicions that the animals were slaughtered elsewhere before being dumped. Barangay officials and police who inspected the site said the manner in which the remains were found suggests organized cattle rustling and illegal butchering.
Sarabil immediately sought the help of Barangay Limook officials and the Lamitan City Police, prompting a joint investigation and search operation. Authorities are now working to identify the perpetrators, track possible routes used to transport the cattle, and recover the remaining animals.
Police have also appealed to the public to report any suspicious movements of livestock, meat selling activities, or information that could help lead to the arrest of those responsible.
“This is not only a crime against property, but a serious threat to the livelihood of our farmers,” a barangay official said. “We will not tolerate this kind of act in our community.”
As of this writing, 22 cattle remain missing, and the investigation is ongoing.