DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte — A 72-year-old woman with a disability was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed in a disturbing incident in Purok Orchids, Barangay Hilltop, Dapitan City, on the night of October 7, 2026, prompting her family to demand justice as police pursue a person of interest.
The victim was identified as Lucia Paglalunan Linaban, a senior citizen and a person with disability (PWD). Her body was discovered on October 9, approximately 100 meters from her residence, according to accounts provided by her family.
Her son, Luberth Linaban, 34, reportedly found his mother’s body in an area below their residence. The victim was found without clothing, raising concerns that she had been sexually assaulted before she was killed.
According to the information provided by the family, investigators from the Philippine National Police (PNP), including Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) and medico-legal personnel, examined the crime scene and the victim’s remains. The investigation reportedly recovered evidence consistent with sexual assault, including a semen sample. The circumstances surrounding the victim’s death remain subject to official investigation.
Initial accounts identified a 23-year-old male neighbor as a person of interest. The family said the young man had reportedly been missing since the night of October 7, around the time the victim was believed to have been attacked. They also pointed to a male undergarment reportedly recovered at the crime scene, which they believed belonged to the missing individual.
These circumstances prompted the family to suspect the young man may have been involved. However, the allegations and the reported physical evidence have yet to be independently confirmed by authorities, and the individual’s possible involvement must be established through the ongoing investigation.
In a social media post, a relative appealed to the person of interest to come forward and explain his side. The family said they wanted clarity about what happened and urged him to cooperate with authorities if he was not responsible. They also acknowledged the possibility that other individuals could have been involved or that their suspicions might be mistaken.
The family is now seeking justice for Linaban, whose death has left relatives and members of the community demanding answers. Her remains were reportedly brought to her son’s residence in Purok Orchids, Barangay Hilltop, where she was being mourned by her loved ones.
The Dapitan City Police Station is reportedly searching for the person of interest as investigators continue working to establish the circumstances of the killing and identify those responsible.
Authorities have yet to publicly confirm the full details of the incident, the identity of any formally charged suspect, or the complete findings of the medico-legal examination.
The case underscores the need for a thorough and evidence-based investigation, particularly given the victim’s vulnerability as an elderly woman with a disability. Her family is calling for accountability and justice, while the investigation must establish the facts and ensure that any person responsible is held answerable under the law.