Iloilo family thinks man set on fire may be missing student; remains hopeful

While not losing hope, the family of a graduating nursing student in Iloilo who had gone missing is not discounting the possibility that he may be the man set on fire at a subdivision in Pavia.

Belongings of the student, Frank Rois Barbasa, were found near the body of the victim.

"It's mga 80% na kwan, they believe na siya 'yun. Kasi kung si Frank, kung hindi siya 'yun, naka-contact na sya," said Ray Rico, a close family friend.

Frank left his aunt's house in La Paz on April 28, 2026 but no one reportedly knew where he went. At past 4 a.m. the following day, residents of a subdivision in Barangay Ungka 1 saw the body of a man burning.

Frank has not been seen since, at least as of this writing.

Now, cops would want to speak to a classmate Frank reportedly met in Pavia before he went missing.

"Ang tanong natin ngayon ay kung sino 'yung kaibigan niya sa Pavia kasi that could lead us to something else," Rico said.

To confirm the identity of the man set on fire, authorities will compare specimens from the body with DNA samples from Frank's mother.

On April 30, the chief of the Pavia Police, Capt. Ritz Field Presquito, told the media that they have located Frank's ex-girlfriend who lives in the subdivision where the body was burned. She reportedly refused to give a statement.

Frank and the girl reportedly parted ways in February 2026 after three years.

"Nag-break up sila noong February, noong nandun sila sa Boracay," Rico said. — GMA Regional TV