The town of Calatagan in Batangas has declared a day of mourning this Thursday, June 5, in solidarity with the deaths of three of its residents: Jhon Luis Olarte, 23; Gerry Ortega, 32; and Ronald Alumno, 37. Their bodies were found on May 30 in a shallow pit in a rubber plantation in Barangay Nabundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur. They have been missing since May 11.
The victims' hands were tied and blindfolded, and their bodies were riddled with bullets. According to the family, they were not the ones selling the goats but were just deliverers of hybrid goats worth ₱1 million.
Hundreds of residents welcomed the three when they arrived in Calatagan from Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. The residents expressed anger and called for justice, especially since they lost contact with the three after Jhon Luis' last call that they were on their way to the buyer.
The family of Jhon Luis expressed hope that the President would hear their call for justice. There is still no suspect and the van used by the victims is also missing. According to the Bangsamoro Region police, the investigation has not yet yielded any solid leads.
