Three Missing Men from Batangas Found Dead in Maguindanao

Authorities have confirmed the discovery of the bodies of three men from Batangas who had been reported missing since early May. The victims, identified as John Luis Olarte, Gerry Olarte, and Ronald Alumno, were found in an advanced state of decomposition inside a rubber plantation in Sitio Goma, Barangay Nabundas on May 30.

According to the Shariff Saydona Mustapha Municipal Police Station, officers responded to a report about a foul odor in the area and later uncovered the three bodies around 9:30 AM. The remains were later identified by Police Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

The victims were last seen on May 6 when they left to deliver over 20 live goats to Barangay Linantangan, Mamasapano, Maguindanao, using a white Mitsubishi L300 van. Their families lost contact with them soon after. The last known communication was on the night of May 11, when one of the men said they were heading to Davao. A suspicious Facebook post on May 14 from John Luis’s account claimed they had been in a minor accident in Arakan, North Cotabato, but were safe.

However, their families doubted the authenticity of the message, as none of the men responded to calls or messages from that point onward. The Calatagan Police in Batangas coordinated with the Philippine National Police in Maguindanao to aid in the search.

The remains have been brought to Ronex Funeral Home in Barangay Kauran, Ampatuan, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding their deaths and the motive behind the killings.