SULTAN DUMALONDONG, Lanao del Sur — A missing farmer who had been the subject of a days-long search was found buried in a remote area of Lanao del Sur on Sunday, July 5, prompting authorities to intensify their investigation and launch efforts to identify those responsible for the killing.
The victim was identified as Moslemen Calandada Pacala, a married farmer and resident of Barangay Talaguian, Poona Bayabao, Lanao del Sur.
According to the Sultan Dumalondong Municipal Police Station (MPS), the case unfolded at around 11:55 a.m. after a concerned citizen, who is also a relative of the victim, reported to the police that a body had been buried in a secluded portion of Sitio Odas, Barangay Tagoranao, Sultan Dumalondong.
Police officers and investigators immediately responded to the area, secured the crime scene, and conducted an investigation. After obtaining the consent of Pacala’s family, authorities carried out an exhumation at approximately 1:20 p.m., recovering the victim’s remains from the shallow grave.
The victim’s relatives positively identified the body as Pacala, who was reported missing after he was last seen alive on the evening of June 29, 2026, in Barangay Cabasaran, Lumbayanague, Lanao del Sur.
Initial police findings revealed that Pacala’s motorcycle had earlier been discovered abandoned in the same area where his body was eventually unearthed, strengthening investigators’ belief that the location is directly connected to the crime.
The discovery brought a tragic end to an extensive search conducted by the victim’s family and authorities over the past several days.
Following the identification process, Pacala’s remains were released to his family. In accordance with Islamic traditions and Muslim burial rites, his relatives immediately prepared his body for burial.
The Sultan Dumalondong MPS is now closely coordinating with the Lumbayanague Municipal Police Station to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to Pacala’s disappearance and death.
Authorities said they are actively pursuing leads, gathering evidence, and identifying persons of interest as part of the ongoing homicide investigation. Investigators are also working with the victim’s family and other potential witnesses to establish the motive behind the killing and determine the identities of those involved.
Police have assured the public that all available investigative resources are being utilized to bring the perpetrators to justice and to file the appropriate criminal charges once sufficient evidence has been gathered.
As of this writing, no suspects have been identified or arrested, and the motive behind the killing remains under investigation.