ILOILO City – The family of missing nursing student Frank Rois Barbasa of Barangay Punta Tabuc, Roxas City, Capiz is now convinced that the charred body found in a vacant lot in Pavia, Iloilo, is their kin — but remains mum on the police’s theory that the 22-year-old may have died by self-immolation.
The Pavia police said the identification, while still pending DNA confirmation, is supported by physical markers and personal belongings recovered at the scene, aligning with Barbasa’s profile.
It also disclosed that autopsy findings and circumstantial evidence increasingly point to suicide — a theory the family has not publicly addressed.
The case began in the early hours of April 29, when residents of Green Meadows Subdivision in Barangay Ungka I reported what they initially thought was a grass fire.
At around 4:30 a.m., a jogger spotted what he believed to be a grass fire in a vacant lot and alerted relatives and neighbors. They later discovered a burning human body.
The body was charred beyond recognition, complicating immediate identification.
A key breakthrough came when police recovered a wallet containing identification cards bearing the name Frank Rois Apelo Barbasa, a graduating nursing student of the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City.
Additional personal belongings — including a cellphone, power bank, and student permits — were found about 30 meters from the site.
Barangay officials in Roxas City later confirmed that Barbasa had been reported missing by his family.
The Pavia police launched an investigation and established the following timeline based on witness accounts and security camera footage:
April 28, 2026
* 5:00 p.m. — Barbasa leaves his aunt’s house in La Paz district, Iloilo City
* 5:34 p.m. — Barbasa arrives at a friend’s house in Mandurriao district via Grab
* Around 8:00 p.m. — Barbasa purchases gasoline from a Hibao-an, Mandurriao gas station
* 8:19 p.m. — Barbasa boards another Grab ride bound for Pavia
* 8:27 p.m. — Barbasa is seen entering 7-Eleven store at GT Town Center, Barangay Ungka, Pavia
* 8:52 p.m. — Barbasa heads to Green Meadows Subdivision
* 9:00–10:00 p.m. — Barbasa is seen sitting outside his ex-girlfriend’s residence, later walking with a backpack and paper bag
April 29, 2026
* Around 4:30 a.m. — Burning body discovered at Green Meadows Subdivision
* 6:00–7:00 a.m. — SOCO processes the scene
Police also determined that Barbasa had previously searched online about the volume of gasoline needed to completely burn a human body. He also sent messages late on April 28, including his last message to an uncle based in Germany who was helping finance his studies: “I’m going to rest now… Take care always. I love you.”
On May 2, Pavia police announced that autopsy results on the charred body showed no signs of foul play, only extensive burns.
They said the findings suggest possible suicide by self-immolation.
DNA samples were taken from the charred body and from Barbasa’s mother and forwarded to the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame for analysis and comparison.
Police have yet to give a definite date for the release of the DNA test results.
Barbasa, a fourth-year graduating nursing student, was the only child of separated parents and resided in Hermano Subdivision, Barangay Punta Tabuc, Roxas City, although he was temporarily staying in Barangay Poblacion, Ivisan, Capiz.
He was raised by his grandparents. An uncle, who resides in Germany, has been instrumental in supporting his education.
In Iloilo City, Barbasa stayed at his aunt’s house in Villa Carolina Subdivision, Barangay Caingin, La Paz.
According to Police Captain Ritz Field Presquito, chief of the Pavia police, security cameras which caught Barbara showed him appearing emotionally distressed throughout the evening of April 28.
Friends interviewed by investigators, he added, said Barbasa had expressed a desire to go off the social media grid.
Presquito said Barbasa messaged his uncle: “Pahuway na ko Tito Aries. Halong ka da pirme. I love you.”
The uncle replied, but Barbasa did not respond.
On his Facebook story, Aries shared their conversation, noting that Barbasa last replied at 1:42 a.m. Philippine time.
Police added that hours earlier, Barbasa was at a gas station in Hibao-an, Mandurriao buying several liters of gasoline, telling attendants that his car had run out of fuel.
According to Presquito, an autopsy conducted by Dr. Martin Fuentes confirmed no signs of foul play or additional injuries — only extensive burns./PN
