TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat — A 69-year-old man living alone was found dead inside his residence along Malvar Street in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, on Tuesday morning, November 3, 2026, after neighbors reported a strong foul odor coming from his house.
The Tacurong City Police Station identified the deceased as Alejandro Agatep, a resident of the city. Police discovered his body inside his bedroom at around 7:30 a.m. after responding to a concerned citizen’s report.
According to the police account, authorities received a call at approximately 8:30 a.m. from a concerned citizen identified by the alias “Jane,” who reported an unusually strong and unpleasant smell coming from her neighbor’s residence. Responding police officers eventually opened the locked house and found Agatep already lifeless.
Neighbors reportedly noticed the foul odor for approximately two days before authorities were contacted. They initially suspected that the smell might have come from a dead animal in the surrounding area. However, as the odor became increasingly strong, they decided to seek police assistance.
Initial police findings indicated no apparent signs of disturbance, forced entry, or struggle inside the residence. Investigators also found no visible external injuries on Agatep’s body that would immediately suggest foul play.
Information gathered during the initial investigation indicated that Agatep had been living alone and was reportedly suffering from hypertension and a prostate-related illness.
Authorities also learned that approximately a week before his body was discovered, the Tacurong City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) had responded to his residence to provide medical assistance after reports that he had not been seen leaving his house for three consecutive days.
Relatives reportedly told authorities that they had not noticed any indication of foul play surrounding his death. They also signed a waiver declining an autopsy.
While the initial police report pointed to a possible natural cause of death, the exact circumstances remain subject to verification. Agatep’s remains were subsequently placed under the care of a funeral establishment in Tacurong City for a post-mortem examination.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals who live alone, particularly when declining health or limited social contact may delay the discovery of a medical emergency.
The Tacurong City Police Station continues to verify the circumstances surrounding Agatep’s death.