The decomposed body of a 19-year-old woman, earlier reported missing, was discovered in a grassy area in Sitio Cangcaya, Barangay Poblacion, Alcoy, Cebu at around 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Discovery and Initial Investigation
Barangay Poblacion watchmen reported the finding to the Alcoy police. Initial police inspection revealed that no local residents recognized the victim, especially since the body was already in a state of decomposition, making identification difficult.
Investigation later confirmed that the deceased was the 19-year-old reported missing since Saturday, May 23, 2026. Family members visited the site and identified the body through a tattoo on the back. The victim was identified as Jean Pryll Belardo, 19, who had a foreign live-in partner. She was a resident of Dalaguete but had been living in Barangay Atabay, Alcoy.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Police Major Jose Nilo Abello, chief of Alcoy Municipal Police Station, stated that the investigation is ongoing. The victim's live-in partner was called in and the last known whereabouts of Belardo were traced. It was reported that the victim was carrying an iPad, but it was not found at the scene.
The foreign partner tracked the gadget's GPS, which indicated it was in Dalaguete. When police located the device, it had already been sold by a certain alias Abat. Further investigation identified alias Abat as Anthony Balugo Antig, 42, a tricycle driver from Barangay Guiwang, Alcoy.
Antig was intercepted as he was about to flee with his family. During interrogation, he confessed to killing Belardo by stabbing her. The motive for the murder has not yet been determined.
Suspect's Background
Police Major Abello added that the suspect had previous cases involving illegal drugs and had been complained about by passengers for rude behavior. He is also known to use illegal drugs.
Belardo's body will undergo an autopsy to determine if she was raped before being killed. Police are preparing murder charges against the suspect, who is currently in the custody of the Alcoy Municipal Police Station.
