A village health worker and her three children were discovered dead early Monday, June 29, 2026, inside their residence in Litapan village, Josefina, Zamboanga del Sur, according to police.
Victims identified
The victims were identified as Arlene Dumalte, 42, a village health worker, and her three children: Nashyl, 16; En-en, 14; and Arnel, 11. “They all sustained multiple stab wounds,” Police Lieutenant Julito Pamalaran, Josefina police chief, told reporters.
Discovery of the crime
The incident was uncovered around 6:45 a.m. Monday by Litapan Village Councilor Alejo Indangan, who was en route to his farm. Indangan alerted authorities after spotting a bloodied woman’s arm visible through a damaged section of the home’s wall.
Police believe the killings may have occurred around midnight of Saturday, June 27, as the children were last seen at a nearby public Wi-Fi station around 8 p.m. that same day.
Investigation underway
Pamalaran vowed to leave no stone unturned in the investigation to ensure justice for the victims. No arrests have been made as of this report, and authorities are gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
