Three men from Batangas who had traveled to Maguindanao del Sur reportedly to deliver goats were found dead and buried at a rubber plantation in Barangay Nabundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha.

Police dug out the decomposing bodies of the victims whose hands were reportedly tied.

According to the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), the victims were discovered after a concerned citizen reported of a foul odor coming from the area where the victims were buried.

The victims were identified positively by their families through the shirts they were last seen wearing.

The three men, all residents of Calatagan, Batangas, had failed to return home after delivering hybrid goats to a contact in Maguindanao del Sur shortly before the May 12, 2025 elections.

“Meron silang diniliver na allegedly na kambing sa area. Huling contact around first week of May bago mag-election, May 10 or 11,” PRO-BAR Spokesperson, Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, said.

Authorities are investigating the person the victims were in contact with, as well as the identities of those responsible for the killings.