TULUNAN, Cotabato — A 47-year-old farmer was found brutally hacked to death inside his home in Barangay La Esperanza, Tulunan, Cotabato, on the morning of July 6, 2026, in a killing that police said may have been preceded by death threats from the suspect.
The victim, identified only by the alias “Dionisio,” was discovered lifeless by his children when they returned home after spending the night at their grandparents’ house before preparing to go to school.
According to the Tulunan Municipal Police Station, the children were shocked to find their father seated on a bamboo sala set inside their residence, already dead and bearing multiple hack wounds on different parts of his body.
Initial police investigation revealed that Dionisio had been left alone in the house on the night of July 5. Authorities said he was reportedly under the influence of alcohol before the fatal attack occurred.
Investigators also disclosed that, prior to the incident, the victim had allegedly received death threats from the man who is now considered the primary suspect. The victim’s child told police that the suspect had openly threatened to kill Dionisio before the gruesome attack.
Acting on the information gathered during the investigation, law enforcement personnel immediately launched a hot pursuit operation that led to the suspect’s swift arrest.
The arrested individual is now under police custody and is facing a murder charge as authorities continue to build the case against him.
Meanwhile, the victim’s remains have been subjected to a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death and gather additional forensic evidence.
Police are continuing their investigation to establish the motive behind the killing and determine whether other individuals may have been involved in the crime.
Authorities have yet to release the identity of the suspect pending the filing of formal charges.