PANDAG, Maguindanao del Sur — A delivery employee was found dead in this town on Sunday, March 8, in what authorities are now investigating as a possible robbery-homicide, after it was confirmed that the victim’s motorcycle and other belongings were missing.
The victim was identified by the Pandag Municipal Police Station as Julius Sonsona, 32, a married employee of J&T Express and a resident of Poblacion, Tulunan.
Sonsona’s body was discovered at around 11:00 a.m. on March 8 in front of a house in Sitio Bakotoy, Barangay Pandag Proper, in Pandag. Residents in the area, locally known as “African,” immediately alerted authorities after noticing the man lying motionless.
Initial reports indicated that the victim had a rope tied around his neck, suggesting he may have been strangled. Investigators also believe that Sonsona may have been assaulted and beaten by several unidentified suspects before being killed.
Police said the case initially drew attention when the victim was still unidentified at the time his body was discovered. Based on the early description, the deceased was about 5 feet and 4 inches tall and was wearing denim jeans, a white T-shirt, and a black jacket.
Subsequent verification later confirmed that the victim was Sonsona.
According to the police investigation, Sonsona had reportedly traveled to parts of Maguindanao del Sur a day before the incident, riding his motorcycle. However, he failed to return home, raising concern among his family.
When authorities examined the scene and the victim’s circumstances, they discovered that several of Sonsona’s personal belongings were missing, including his motorcycle, fueling suspicions that the killing may have been carried out during a robbery.
Police said the victim may have been overpowered by multiple attackers, who allegedly strangled and assaulted him before abandoning his body in the residential area.
Authorities have yet to establish the exact motive behind the killing, but investigators are now pursuing leads to determine whether the crime was indeed robbery-related or connected to other possible circumstances.
The Pandag Municipal Police Station said efforts are ongoing to identify and locate the suspects, including reviewing possible witness accounts and gathering further evidence from the area where the body was found.
Local officials have also appealed to residents who may have seen suspicious individuals or vehicles in the area prior to the discovery to come forward and assist in the investigation.
The brutal killing has raised concern among residents and delivery workers who frequently travel through remote communities in the province, prompting calls for authorities to intensify security measures and ensure the safety of riders and transport workers operating in the area.
Police assured the public that the investigation remains active and ongoing as they work to bring those responsible for Sonsona’s death to justice.