By Jennifer P. Rendon
An 82-year-old man was found dead a day after he was reported missing in San Dionisio, Iloilo.
The body of Francisco dela Cruz Basa, of Barangay Tuble, was discovered in a forested area about 1.5 kilometers from his home.
Village officials found his body around 9:50 a.m. on May 8.
He was lying on the ground with no visible injuries except for minor wounds on his toes.
Capt. Edward Villanis, San Dionisio police chief, said Basa left home around 5 a.m. on May 7 to gather dried coconut husks for copra production.
When he failed to return home after three hours, his wife began searching for him.
The couple was supposed to have breakfast together.
She later sought help from village officials to look for Basa.
Villanis said residents searched for him until nightfall but did not find him.
At 7:30 a.m. on May 8, his granddaughter, 28-year-old Christy Rose, reported his disappearance to police.
Before she could leave the police station, authorities received a call that a body had been found in the forested part of Tuble.
Villanis said the search team had to cross two mountains to reach the site.
Police investigators found no signs of foul play in Basa’s death.
His family also believes he died of natural causes.
Villanis said Basa may have died of cardiac arrest, which he previously suffered in February 2025.
He was taken to Sara District Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
