ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — An 18-year-old man allegedly involved in the killing and dismemberment of his 27-year-old older brother in Barangay Sinunuc has surrendered to police and led authorities to the locations where portions of the victim’s remains had been concealed.
The development came days after the gruesome discovery of human remains inside a suitcase and an ice box in the barangay, prompting police to launch an investigation and search for the victim’s younger brother.
Philippine National Police spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said the 18-year-old suspect eventually turned himself in after allegedly being overcome by guilt over what he had done.
According to Co, the suspect personally told police where he had hidden portions of his older brother’s body, helping investigators recover additional evidence related to the killing.
Police said the incident took place on September 10, 2026.
Investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding the killing, including the events that preceded the fatal confrontation between the two brothers.
Suspect allegedly concealed remains in suitcase, ice box
Based on the information released by police, the suspect allegedly attempted to conceal the victim’s remains by placing portions of the body inside a suitcase and an ice box.
The discovery of the remains on September 12 initially triggered a police investigation after residents reportedly became aware of a suitcase believed to contain human body parts.
Authorities subsequently identified the victim as Raffy Alam, 27, and the alleged perpetrator as his younger brother, Rashdy Alam, 18.
Police later recovered tools allegedly used in the dismemberment, including a metal saw, hammer and bolo.
The recovered items are expected to form part of the evidence to be examined by investigators as they reconstruct the sequence of events surrounding the killing.
Police cite alleged family conflict
In the latest information released by authorities, the initial investigation indicated that the brothers had been involved in a serious dispute.
Police said the conflict allegedly stemmed from accusations that the older brother had become a burden on their family. Authorities, however, are still expected to establish through further investigation the precise circumstances of the dispute, the events immediately preceding the killing, and what transpired afterward.
The motive cited in the initial police account remains subject to verification as investigators continue gathering evidence and statements.
The latest development also provides a significant shift from the initial investigation, when authorities had not yet publicly established the whereabouts of the younger brother after the remains were discovered.
Suspect faces murder case
Police said the 18-year-old suspect has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his older brother.
The filing of the case does not constitute a finding of guilt. The suspect remains entitled to due process and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Investigators are expected to continue documenting the recovered remains and physical evidence, taking statements from people who may have knowledge of the incident, and establishing the complete timeline from the alleged killing through the concealment and subsequent recovery of the victim’s remains.
The case has drawn attention in Barangay Sinunuc because of the circumstances surrounding the death and the alleged dismemberment of the victim.
Police authorities are continuing their investigation to establish the full facts and ensure that the evidence gathered will support the appropriate legal proceedings.