Elderly Man's Body Found in Davao del Sur Morgue After Two Months

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur – The remains of an unidentified man, found dead in a rice field two months ago, were finally claimed by his relatives here on Tuesday evening. Rodulfo Bacus, 81, a resident of Barangay Tres de Mayo, was positively identified by his kin, who then took custody of his body from a funeral home in the city. Bacus was discovered deceased in a rice field near his residence. According to his relatives, he had been missing for several weeks. The body was reportedly in a state of decomposition, which made immediate identification challenging. Local authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Bacus's death, with the preliminary assessment suggesting he may have succumbed to a sudden illness or an accident while working in the field. No foul play is suspected at this time. This case highlights potential social issues in rural Philippines, including the vulnerability of the elderly and the challenges in identifying deceased individuals, particularly in areas where access to immediate identification services might be limited.