Missing College Student Found Dead in Iloilo Field

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A college student reported missing was found dead on the morning of May 28 in Calinog, Iloilo.

The victim was identified as Henzon Latoza Libuna, 24, of Barangay Malandig, Calinog.

His body was already in a state of decomposition when discovered and was not immediately identified.

Libuna was a third-year Business Management student at West Visayas State University-Calinog campus.

A sugarcane harvester found the body around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in a grassy area near a cemetery and river in Barrio Calinog.

Police Maj. Myles Dieron, chief of the Calinog Municipal Police Station, said an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

Libuna’s family confirmed his identity through the clothes he was wearing.

No mobile phone or other personal belongings were found at the scene.

Libuna, a gay man, was reported missing on May 24.

He was last seen alive on the night of May 23.

CCTV footage from an establishment in Calinog town proper showed him walking alone that evening.

According to his cousin, Libuna had planned to meet him on the morning of May 24 but failed to show up.

Earlier that day, Libuna messaged his cousin saying he might be late because he was meeting friends.

The cousin, who traveled from Iloilo City, said he waited for hours but never saw Libuna.

The family searched for him for several days until his body was found.

Reports indicated Libuna was last seen with a friend known only as Michael.

Michael denied involvement in Libuna’s death.

He urged the public to allow police to investigate before making accusations.