Camille Naredo

Article (news)

Calatagan

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749052153568060425_Calatagan .jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The bodies of 3 goat dealers were found buried in a shallow grave in a rubber plantation in Maguindanao del Sur. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News"/>The bodies of 3 goat dealers were found buried in a shallow grave in a rubber plantation in Maguindanao del Sur. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA -- The local government of Calatagan, Batangas has declared a day of mourning on Thursday, June 5 to honor three of their residents who were murdered in Maguindanao del Sur. The people of Calatagan are demanding  justice for goat dealers Jhon Luis Olarte, 23, his cousin Gerry Ortega, 32, and their friend Ronald Alumno, 37, whose bodies were found buried in a shallow grave at a rubber plantation in Barangay Nabundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur, on May 30, 2025, after being reported missing since May 11. The bodies were riddled with gunshot wounds, with their hands tied and eyes blindfolded.“All national flags within the municipality will be flown at half-mast on said date as a sign of collective grief and respect,” said the Calatagan LGU in a statement posted on their official Facebook page. <div><a class="fr-green" href="http://Former Lagayan mayor shot dead in Bangued, Abra">Former Lagayan mayor shot dead in Bangued, Abra | ABS-CBN News </a></div>On Monday, hundreds of residents lined the streets of Calatagan as the remains of the three victims arrived from Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. With cries for justice and the honking of vehicles, locals condemned the fate of the three victims who had only traveled to Maguindanao del Sur to deliver ordered goats to a buyer. Ronald Alumno will be buried this Thursday at 1 p.m. while the Olarte cousins will be laid to rest on Friday. As of now, no suspects have been identified by authorities in Maguindanao del Sur. “Sana po madinig ng ating Pangulo para po mabigyan ng hustisya” said Pablo Olarte, father of Jhon Luis. Police Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz, regional director of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Police, admitted that the Special Investigation Task Group “Goat Dealers” still has no solid leads. “Unang-una sir pumasok sila na hindi namin alam kung bakit sila pumasok eh panahon, kasagsagan ng election &#x27;yun,” Macapaz said. <div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/23/doctor-found-dead-in-quezon-city-suv-suspect-nabbed-as-dashcam-footage-surfaces-1751">Doctor found dead in Quezon City SUV, suspect nabbed due to dashcam video</a></div>The van used by the victims is still missing. The three left Batangas on May 6, transporting 10 hybrid goats for breeding to deliver to a buyer in Maguindanao del Sur. The goats were estimated to be worth ₱1 million. The victims’ families clarified that they were not the sellers, but were only transporters. The last contact with the victims was on May 11, when Jhon Luis told his sibling that they were at a checkpoint and would be meeting the buyer in 15 minutes. After that, Jhon Luis could no longer be reached, and he did not go live on Facebook, which he usually did whenever handing over goats to a buyer. The family became alarmed and sought help from authorities. After 23 days, the fate of the three was confirmed when their decomposing bodies were finally discovered.

“All national flags within the municipality will be flown at half-mast on said date as a sign of collective grief and respect,” said the Calatagan LGU in a statement posted on their official Facebook page.

“All national flags within the municipality will be flown at half-mast on said date as a sign of collective grief and respect,” said the Calatagan LGU in a statement posted on their official Facebook page.

Calatagan town declares day of mourning over slay of 3 goat dealers

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Calatagan town declares day of mourning over slay of 3 goat dealers

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 05, 2025 12:46 AM PHT

Read More:

Maguindanao del Sur

Calatagan

Batangas

Goat dealers

Crime

Police

Murder

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