IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — A member of the Philippine National Police Maritime Group was found dead early New Year’s Day after his body was discovered floating near the port area of Sitio Palid, Barangay Magdaup, this town.
The victim was identified as Pat. Roel P. Fernandez, 30, married, a member of the Maritime PNP assigned to the 5th Special Operations Unit (SOU). He was a resident of Calamba, Misamis Occidental. His lifeless body was discovered around 6:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026, along the waters near the Palid port.
According to the Ipil Municipal Police Station, authorities received a report at around 8:00 a.m. regarding a floating body near the port in Purok Talisay, Sitio Palid. Responding officers immediately proceeded to the area and confirmed that the victim was a police officer assigned to maritime operations.
Initial investigation revealed that at around 11:00 p.m. on December 31, the victim was last seen by his colleague, Pat. Jevel Ray Reyes, sleeping in a hammock located about three meters away from where Reyes was resting. At around 4:00 a.m., Reyes noticed that Fernandez was no longer in the hammock and assumed he had gone elsewhere before continuing to sleep. It was only later that morning when personnel from the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) noticed Fernandez’s body floating in the water, already stiff.
The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) of the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Forensic Unit processed the area and examined the body. Authorities found no gunshot wounds, stab wounds, or any signs of foul play. Dr. Adnilre Verzon, Municipal Health Officer of Ipil, who examined the remains, stated that the cause of death was believed to be drowning.
The remains of Pat. Fernandez were brought to Villa Babas Funeral Homes for proper disposition, as investigations continue to establish the exact circumstances surrounding his death.
The incident cast a somber mood over the New Year celebration in the area, as colleagues and local officials mourned the untimely death of a young police officer who was on duty to protect the country’s maritime borders.