A coordinator of a vice mayoralty candidate in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat was found dead at a rice field in Pandag, Maguindanao del Sur.

The victim, Modesto Tamayo, 57, was found with stab wounds in his body.

Investigation of the Pandag Municipal Police showed that Tamayo was abducted from his residence in Barangay Romualdez in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat at past 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2025.

Before he was abducted, he reportedly attended a meeting that discussed plans for the start of campaign of his political group, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.

His body was found around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Marlon Villa, vice mayoralty candidate in President Quirino, said they did not join other candidates on the start of campaign on March 28, 2025 due to alleged harassment, even alleged death threats.

He said Tamayo was his head coordinator and they believe that his killing was politically motivated.

“Politically motivated yung pangyayari kasi unang-una, siya yung pinaka-municipal head coordinator ko. Kasi noong March 28, hindi kami nag-start ng kampanya kasi nga maraming harassment na nangyayari, mga death threat sa amin,” Villa said.

Police have identified persons of interest in the case. They have also traced people who reportedly saw Tamayo being made to enter forcibly into a white van. 

“Yung may hawak talaga ng kaso nito is yung Quirino Municipal Police Station. Meron na silang persons of interest kasi may mga witnesses doon na nakakita doon sa abduction, yung pagdukot ng tao na isinakay umano ng puting van sa (President) Quirino. Maaring patay na yung biktima na itinapon doon sa area  namin,” said Capt. Anthony Basañez, station commander of the Pandag Municipal Police.

The victim’s family is calling for justice.

“Sa mga kaanak ng biktima, hindi namin sila pababayaan na kasama sa aming partido. Tutulong po kami na mabigyan ng hustisya,” Villa said.