GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The search for a 27-year-old cattle buyer who was reported missing ended in tragedy after his decomposing body was discovered buried in sandy soil in Purok 7, Barangay Ligaya, General Santos City on Saturday afternoon, June 27.
The victim was identified by the General Santos City Police Office (GSCPO) as John Alexis “Arjay” Punla, a resident of Alabel, Sarangani Province. His identity was later confirmed by his family at the scene.
According to Police Major Renato Dungca, chief of Police Station 3, authorities received a report from residents at around 4:00 p.m. after they noticed a strong foul odor coming from a portion of sandy ground in the area.
Responding officers immediately inspected the site and observed what appeared to be a freshly dug patch of earth concealed with grass. Investigators also reportedly found traces of dried blood, prompting them to suspect that a body had been buried beneath the surface.
The police immediately requested the assistance of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), who arrived at around 8:30 p.m. to process the crime scene and conduct an excavation.
During the operation, authorities recovered the decomposing body of Punla, bringing a heartbreaking end to the days-long search launched after he was reported missing on June 24, 2026.
Punla, who worked as a cattle buyer, had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Days before his body was discovered, search efforts had intensified after his motorcycle was found abandoned in a river in Barangay Alegria, Alabel, Sarangani Province, raising fears that he had become the victim of foul play.
The grim discovery has strengthened investigators’ belief that the victim may have been murdered elsewhere before his body was secretly buried in Barangay Ligaya in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of death pending further forensic examination. Investigators are also pursuing possible motives behind the killing and identifying the individuals responsible for what police described as a brutal crime.
As of this writing, no suspects have been identified or arrested.
The General Santos City Police Office continues its intensive investigation and is appealing to anyone with information that could help solve the case to immediately coordinate with the nearest police station.
The killing of Punla has shocked both General Santos City and neighboring Sarangani Province, where his disappearance had drawn widespread concern over the past several days.