A 27-year-old former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and cattle trader was found dead after he was reported missing for four days in General Santos City.

The body of the victim was already in an advanced state of decomposition when authorities dug it up in Barangay Ligaya evening on Saturday, June 27, 2026.

Authorities said the remains were discovered after residents nearby reported a foul odor coming from the area where the body was buried.

Later, police identified the victim as the man from Barangay San Isidro who had been reported missing since June 24, 2026. He was a former OFW in New Zealand who later became a cattle trader.

The victim’s motorcycle was found later abandoned in Barangay Alegria, Alabel, Sarangani.

According to the victim’s family, he had been carrying more than P200,000 in cash to buy cattle from an online agent he had transacted with in Barangay Ligaya, but he never returned home since.

While searching for the victim, his family spoke with the agent, who claimed he had no knowledge of the victim’s whereabouts.

SUSPECTS

Police launched a hot pursuit operation, which prompted one of the suspects to surrender – a 19-year-old man – around 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 28.

Two hours later, another 19-year-old suspect turned himself in, while a 26-year-old suspect surrendered on Monday, June 29.

One of the three suspects who surrendered was the same agent who earlier claimed he had no knowledge of the victim’s whereabouts.

All three suspects were presented to the media later.

The suspects reportedly admitted that they killed the victim by striking him on the head with a hammer before burying his body.

“Yung nga may transaction sila sa victim, yung nasa area na sila, nag-aantay yung 3rd suspect natin. Inabangan siya bigla siyang pinalo…pinalo ng martilyo,” General Santos City Police Station 3 Commander, Major Renato Dunca Jr., said.

The victim’s family said the suspects may have gotten angry after the victim deducted an outstanding debt from one of the suspects’ earnings for cattle that the victim had purchased.

“Giingan niya ako igsuon ako lang na pangitaan og paagi, mao to sige lang ako lang i-minus, pag makahalin ta og baka, minusan lang sa imo utang, mao to pagkalast, murag nalain siya, kay giminusan siya og 4,000 ba,” the victim’s brother, Ralph Punla, said.

The suspects refused to comment.

NO MONEY FOUND

Police said when the victim’s body was recovered, the cash he was reportedly carrying was no longer found.

However, the suspects maintained that they did not take any money from the victim.

“Inamin nila ang krimen but ang pag recover ng certain money is wala daw,” Dunca said.

The suspects are facing charges.

“Hindi tumtigil ang ating kapulisan to work and day and night to identify the person involved and bring them to the custody of the law,” General Santos City Police Office Director, Col. Eric Venancio, said.