LAKE SEBU, South Cotabato — A 47-year-old farmer was found dead at his farm in Sitio Lake Puguan, Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, on September 11, 2026, after he was allegedly attacked from behind while spraying pesticide on his squash crops.
The victim was identified by the Lake Sebu Municipal Police Station as Rolly Barnuso Tupaz, 47, married, a farmer, and a resident of the area.
According to the police’s initial investigation, Tupaz was working on his squash farm and spraying pesticide when he was suddenly attacked from behind by an unidentified assailant.
He sustained a deep wound to the throat, which investigators said resulted in his immediate death. Police also observed other injuries on his body that may have been caused by a firearm or shotgun pellets.
Investigators who processed the crime scene recovered a knife believed to have been used in the attack, as well as a fired cartridge from a 12-gauge shotgun.
The presence of both a bladed weapon and a shotgun cartridge has prompted investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack, including how the different injuries were inflicted and whether more than one weapon was involved.
After the crime scene investigation, Tupaz’s remains were brought to a funeral parlor in Barangay Gapok, Sultan Kudarat.
The Lake Sebu police are continuing their follow-up investigation to identify the assailant, establish the motive, and determine the possible liability of anyone found to have participated in the killing.
Authorities have yet to publicly identify a suspect or establish a definitive motive. The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation.
Police are expected to pursue leads that could help establish the victim’s movements before the incident, identify possible witnesses, and determine whether the recovered knife and shotgun cartridge are directly connected to the killing.