KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — A 50-year-old woman was found dead in a small pit behind her family’s home in Purok Cinderella, Barangay General Paulino Santos, Koronadal City, on Saturday morning, August 8, 2026.
The victim was identified by the Koronadal City Police Station as Emily Galena Agustin, 50, a resident of the city.
According to the initial investigation by the Koronadal City police, Agustin’s body was discovered by her sibling in a small hole located at the rear portion of their residence. By the time she was found, she was already unresponsive and had been dead for some time.
Authorities said the circumstances surrounding how Agustin ended up inside the pit remain under investigation.
Based on the account provided by the victim’s sibling, Agustin may have attempted to reach into the small pit to retrieve or rescue puppies that had fallen or become trapped inside.
Investigators are looking into the possibility that the victim may have become stuck while attempting to retrieve the animals. However, authorities have yet to establish whether this was indeed what happened, and the exact circumstances and cause of her death remain undetermined.
The discovery has prompted police to conduct further investigation to determine what led to the fatal incident and whether there were any other factors involved.
The victim’s remains were brought to a funeral home in Koronadal City, where a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted. The examination is intended to help authorities determine the cause of death and provide investigators with additional information that could clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police have not released further details regarding the case as the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities are expected to await the results of the post-mortem examination before making further conclusions regarding the circumstances of Agustin’s death.