LAMITAN CITY, BASILAN — A college teacher was found dead with multiple stab and hack wounds in a suspected robbery-homicide early Monday, April 13, 2026, in a dark and isolated stretch of Sitio Maalum, Barangay Sengal, sending shockwaves through the local academic and LGBTQIA+ communities.
The victim was identified as Joselito Alumbro “Jojo” Orbuda, a resident of Barangay Limo-ok and a faculty member of Mindanao Autonomous College. Orbuda, described by colleagues and students as a dedicated educator and active community leader, was discovered lifeless at around 12:45 a.m. by a concerned citizen, who immediately alerted authorities.
Police from the Lamitan City Police Station, led by Deputy Chief of Police PLT Najir J. Jumdaani, responded to the scene shortly after 1:30 a.m., along with personnel from the 1403rd Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-B. Authorities found Orbuda lying on his back along a barangay road, clad in black shorts and a gray long-sleeved shirt. He was later identified through his driver’s license.
Initial investigation revealed that Orbuda sustained multiple stab wounds to the abdomen, neck, and other parts of his body, causing his instantaneous death. Investigators believe the attack was carried out with extreme brutality.
Crucially, several personal belongings of the victim were reported missing, including his Honda Click motorcycle, strengthening the police’s angle that the killing may have been a robbery-homicide. Witnesses also reported seeing two unidentified motorcycles pass through the area shortly before the body was discovered, raising suspicions that multiple perpetrators may have been involved.
The crime scene, described as poorly lit and sparsely populated with no street lighting, is believed to have contributed to the commission of the crime. Forensic teams from the Provincial Forensic Unit and Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) processed the area for evidence, while the victim’s remains were transported to Lamitan District Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Lamitan City Chief of Police Elmer P. Solon strongly condemned the killing and assured the public that authorities are exhausting all efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible.
“We strongly condemn this senseless act of violence. Rest assured that the Lamitan City Police Station is doing everything in its capacity to identify and apprehend the perpetrator. We call on the public to cooperate and provide any information that may help in the immediate resolution of this case,” Solon said.
Coordination with barangay officials in Sengal is ongoing as part of the intensified investigation and follow-up operations, including efforts to recover the victim’s stolen motorcycle.
Meanwhile, Orbuda’s death has sparked outrage and deep mourning among members of the LGBTQIA+ community, where he served as a vice president of a local group. Advocates and community members condemned the killing and called for swift justice, as well as stronger measures to ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable sectors amid rising incidents of violence.
The Hardamian community, including the Hardam Furigay Colleges Foundation, Inc., also issued a statement expressing grief over the loss of one of their own.
“You were a friend to many Hardamians. Your kindness will never be forgotten. In this time of grief, we stand in solidarity with your family and loved ones,” the statement read, as it joined calls for justice.
Friends and colleagues remembered Orbuda as kind-hearted, dependable, and deeply committed to his role as an educator, particularly in the Junior High School Department. He was known not only for his passion for teaching but also for his active involvement in school and community initiatives.
As the investigation continues, the victim’s family, friends, and supporters are demanding accountability and justice, urging anyone with information to come forward and assist authorities in resolving the case.
Police have appealed to the public to report any relevant information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the suspect or suspects behind the brutal killing.