KUMALARANG, Zamboanga del Sur — The decomposing bodies of a 45-year-old father and his 19-year-old son, who had reportedly been missing since October 24, were discovered near a roadside ravine in Barangay Suminalom, Kumalarang, on Wednesday afternoon, October 28.
Police identified the victims as Pilano Andinas and his son, Joland Andinas, both residents of Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur. A black motorcycle believed to belong to the pair was also found near their bodies.
Initial reports indicated that the remains were discovered shortly after 1 p.m. in Purok 4, Barangay Suminalom, after residents reportedly noticed a foul odor coming from the area. The bodies were already in an advanced state of decomposition when authorities recovered them.
According to the Kumalarang Municipal Police Station, the father and son were last seen on October 24 while attending a church gathering in Barangay Dagum, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur. They were subsequently reported missing, prompting concern over their whereabouts before their bodies were eventually found four days later.
Authorities have yet to establish the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Due to the condition of the remains, police could not immediately determine whether the victims had sustained injuries before their deaths or whether foul play was involved.
The Provincial Forensic Unit assisted in the recovery and examination of the bodies as investigators worked to establish the cause of death. An autopsy was expected to help determine whether the deaths resulted from violence, an accident, or other circumstances.
The discovery of the father and son has prompted an ongoing police investigation in Kumalarang. Investigators are expected to examine the physical evidence recovered from the scene, including the motorcycle, and reconstruct the victims’ movements between the time they were last seen in Bayog and the discovery of their bodies.
As of Wednesday, authorities had not publicly confirmed the cause of death or identified any suspects in connection with the incident.
Police continue to investigate the case to determine what happened to the father and son and whether another person or persons may have been involved in their deaths.