COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The body of an unidentified man was found floating in the Masulen River near the Bamboo Bridge in Sitio Tunina, Purok Mangungan, Barangay Bagua 2, Cotabato City, on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Authorities responded to the area after receiving a report about the discovery. The man was already dead when responders recovered his body from the water.
The victim’s identity has yet to be established, while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Initial information gathered during the ongoing police investigation indicated that the victim had sustained a significant injury to his neck. Investigators are looking into the possibility that the injury may have been caused by a sharp object, including the possibility that he was attacked before his body was dumped into the river.
However, authorities have yet to establish the circumstances that led to the fatal injury, the identity of the person or persons who may have been responsible, or whether the victim was killed at another location before his body was brought to the river.
The circumstances surrounding the discovery remain under investigation, and the possible cause and manner of death will still have to be established through the appropriate examination and other investigative procedures.
Police are also working to determine the identity of the victim, including checking reports of missing persons that may correspond to the unidentified body.
Authorities are urging families who may have a missing male relative to coordinate with the Cotabato City Police Station 4 and provide relevant information that could assist investigators in confirming the victim’s identity.
The recovered body is expected to undergo the necessary examination as authorities continue gathering evidence and information that could shed light on the incident.
Police have not yet released further details regarding the victim’s age, physical description, or possible identity pending verification.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to determine whether the neck injury was connected to the victim’s death and whether criminal charges may be filed once sufficient evidence is established.