IMPASUG-ONG, Bukidnon — A 34-year-old man identified by his own mother as the suspect in the killing of a woman whose decomposing body was found in a pineapple plantation in Libona, Bukidnon, died after jumping from the Atugan Bridge in Impasug-ong on Saturday evening, August 8, 2026.
The man was identified as Melvin Lura, also known as “Tarzan,” single and a resident of Purok 4B, Gawad Kalinga, Poblacion, Libona, Bukidnon.
His identity was confirmed by his mother, who personally identified the body following the fatal incident at Atugan Bridge.
According to the latest information, Lura was the person of interest earlier identified by police in connection with the death of Frescila “Fritz” Quijada, also known as “Jessa,” whose decomposing remains were discovered in a creek inside a pineapple plantation in Barangay Poblacion, Libona, on August 3.
Fatal jump at Atugan Bridge
The incident at Atugan Bridge was reported shortly after 6:20 p.m. on August 8 after a concerned citizen alerted Revitalized Police sa Barangay (RPSB) personnel who were managing traffic in the area.
Witnesses reportedly saw Lura arrive at the bridge aboard a Honda XRM motorcycle. He allegedly parked or toppled the motorcycle before suddenly jumping from the bridge.
Initial reports also indicated that he may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time, although authorities have yet to establish this conclusively.
The report immediately prompted a response from the Impasug-ong police and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO).
A retrieval operation was conducted, and responders eventually recovered Lura’s body. He was already dead when recovered.
His remains were brought to a funeral facility in Malaybalay City and were later being prepared by his family for transport back to Libona.
Link to Libona woman’s death
Lura had earlier been identified by investigators as a person of interest in the death of Quijada, an adult woman who was employed by Del Monte Philippines Inc. and resided in Poblacion, Libona.
Quijada’s remains were discovered at around 3:40 p.m. on August 3 in a creek at Field 11, Bugtungan, Purok 6, Barangay Poblacion. Her body was already in an advanced state of decomposition when it was found.
Police later identified Lura as a person of interest after witnesses, including people living near the victim, reportedly told investigators that he was among the last individuals seen with Quijada on July 24, more than a week before her remains were discovered.
The circumstances surrounding Quijada’s death remained under investigation, with authorities seeking a medico-legal examination to establish the exact cause and manner of her death.
Before Lura’s identity was officially confirmed as the man who jumped from Atugan Bridge, accusations had also circulated on social media naming him in connection with Quijada’s death. At that time, police had cautioned that such allegations had not yet been officially established.
The latest identification by Lura’s mother now confirms that the man who died at Atugan Bridge was the same Melvin Lura previously identified by investigators as a person of interest in the Libona case.
However, the circumstances and extent of his involvement in Quijada’s death remain subject to the ongoing investigation and available evidence.
Bridge has history of jump attempts
Lura’s death is also not the first reported jump incident at Atugan Bridge.
Several individuals have reportedly attempted to jump from the same bridge in previous incidents, with some saved through the immediate intervention of bystanders, police officers and rescue personnel.
The repeated incidents have raised concerns over safety at the bridge and the need for stronger preventive measures, particularly in preventing individuals from reaching or jumping from vulnerable sections of the structure.
In Lura’s case, however, the response ended with the recovery of his body.
The incident also came only five days after Quijada’s remains were discovered in the Libona pineapple plantation, adding another significant development to a case that had already drawn the attention of local authorities and the community.
Police investigations in Libona and Impasug-ong remain ongoing as authorities continue to document the circumstances surrounding both deaths and gather evidence relevant to the murder investigation.
For now, Lura’s death ends the possibility of authorities taking him into custody for questioning or prosecution, but investigators may still examine evidence and information involving him as they work to establish what happened to Quijada and determine the full circumstances of her death.