Government forces found five sets of human remains, believed to be those of victims of summary execution, at a remote area of Barangay Dilimbayan in Maguing, Lanao del Sur.

Troops of the 55th Infantry Battalion (55IB) went to the area after receiving reports from residents about alleged human remains found in a shallow grave in a forested area.

Authorities also recovered several pieces of clothing – four men’s garments and one believed to have belonged to a woman.

“Andun lahat sa isang hukay, patong-patong yung remains ng mga unidentified individuals and they were able to unearth at least five skulls, three of them were still full, completely intact but the other two were broken into pieces,” 55IB Officer-in-Charge, Lt. Col. Aldwin Cortez, said.

The military said the remains may be those of victims of summary execution and were buried in the area some time in 2022.

However, authorities are having difficulty identifying them because only skeletal remains were left.

“According to some information yung mga individuals na yun were victims of a test buy or possible drug bust operation,” Cortez added.

After the report spread on social media, a family from Libona, Bukidnon sought assistance, claiming that their family member went missing on April 18, 2022, along with four other individuals.

According to the family, the missing person was allegedly asked by an acquaintance to drive a van to Valencia City, Bukidnon. However, this person never returned home since.

“Gipakyaw lage daw ang van nga iyang gi drivan padulong lang sa Valencia unya mouli ra daw siya ana nga adlaw. Nilakaw siya April 18 nag 19 na lang wala naman gyud sila na kontak,” alias “Cherry,” the sister of the alleged driver, said.

The family added that their suspicion grew stronger because one of the pieces of clothing matched the gray sweatshirt allegedly worn last by their missing family member.

“Amo unta gusto kay magpatabang mi para naa mi assurance nga kung ipa-lab among DNA para sure nga amo ba gyud ang mga bangkay… naa ba akong igsuon adto,” alias Cherry added.

Authorities continue to process the remains to determine the victims’ identities and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.