TUGUNAN, SGA, BARMM — Residents of Barangay Panicupan woke to a grim scene on the morning of December 24, 2025 after discovering the bodies of two men dumped in the area, their hands bound behind their backs and their bodies bearing signs of possible torture, authorities said.
According to initial reports, the victims were found lifeless at daybreak, prompting alarm among local residents who immediately reported the incident to barangay officials. The manner in which the bodies were discovered — with hands tied and visible wounds and bruises — has raised strong suspicion that the killings were execution-style, commonly referred to as “salvage” cases.
While the identities of the victims have yet to be officially confirmed, initial information indicates that one of the men is believed to be a resident of Barangay Bulol, Ligawasan, SGA-BARMM, while the other is reportedly from Barangay Balong, Tugunan, SGA-BARMM. Police said formal identification is still ongoing.
Barangay officials of Panicupan, led by Barangay Captain Montaser Asim, immediately responded to the scene alongside members of Task Force Ittihad, under BIAF-MILF Commander Osas Zainal Asim, to secure the area and assist in initial coordination.
Authorities noted that the victims were not known to residents of Barangay Panicupan, further strengthening the theory that the bodies were dumped at the location. The presence of multiple injuries and contusions on the victims’ bodies suggests they may have been subjected to physical abuse prior to their deaths.
The police are now intensifying their investigation and have begun coordinating closely with the local government units and the community to gather additional information that could help identify the victims and determine the motive behind the killings.
As of this writing, no suspects have been identified, and authorities have yet to determine where the victims were killed. The incident has sparked fear and concern among residents, as investigators work to uncover the circumstances surrounding the brutal deaths.