ILOILO — A discovery of a charred body in Pavia town has intensified fears over the fate of a missing nursing student, as authorities race against time to confirm the victim’s identity through DNA and autopsy results amid mounting evidence pointing to possible foul play.
Police have yet to establish whether the burned remains found in Green Meadows Subdivision, Barangay Ungka I, Pavia, on April 29 belong to 23-year-old University of San Agustin student Frank Rois Barbasa, who was last seen on April 28.
The body, burnt beyond recognition, has left investigators with little to work on, even as items recovered near the scene — including an identification card, cellphone, and power bank — were confirmed by Barbasa’s family to be his.
Police Captain Ritz Field Presquito, chief of the Pavia police, said initial findings suggest the still unidentified victim may have been killed before being set on fire.
“We cannot establish a motive or identify persons of interest without confirming the victim’s identity,” Presquito said.
The remains reportedly emitted a strong gasoline odor, raising suspicions of deliberate burning, although authorities have yet to recover any accelerants from the scene.
Barbasa was last seen leaving his aunt’s residence in La Paz, Iloilo City at around 5 p.m. on April 28 after booking a Grab ride.
Hours later, between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. of April 29, a jogger spotted flames inside Green Meadows Subdivision — only to discover that a human body was burning.
Investigators are now reconstructing the timeline, including coordinating with Grab and reviewing CCTV footage secured from within the subdivision.
Barbasa’s family has been anxious since his disappearance.
“They have yet to come to terms with what might have happened,” Presquito said.
Authorities have requested DNA samples from Barbasa’s mother and collected some from the charred body, and are also pursuing dental records to hasten identification.
An autopsy has been prioritized, with police pushing for results by the weekend or early next week.
“We cannot confirm anything until the autopsy and DNA results are released,” Presquito stressed.
Investigators admitted that forensic backlogs, including the need to send DNA samples to Camp Crame, – the headquarters of the Philippine National Police – could delay the process.
“We are actively following up with our chief investigator to track the forensic analysis and ensure a thorough examination of the evidence,” Presquito said./PN
