CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines — Police in Nueva Ecija have declared the murder of Romeo and Mely Delos Trinos solved after four suspects, including the alleged mastermind, were charged with murder. The couple, who worked as farm caretakers, were found stuffed in sacks and dumped in irrigation canals in Palayan City and Cabanatuan earlier this month.

Authorities confirmed that Romeo Delos Trinos, 65, and his wife Mely, 55, were killed inside their home in the farmland where they worked before their bodies were disposed of. Investigators discovered sacks similar to those used to conceal their remains at the property, strengthening suspicions that the crime occurred there.

The victims were last seen alive on March 9, 2026. On March 10, Romeo’s body was found inside a sack floating in an irrigation canal in Barangay Popolon, Palayan City. Their small vehicle, a kolong-kolong, was also recovered nearby. The following day, March 11, residents of Barangay Cabu in Cabanatuan City reported a foul odor, leading police to discover Mely’s decomposing remains stuffed in another sack at Purok Magallanes.

Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Director Richie Claravall said the case was solved after a witness voluntarily came forward, providing crucial testimony that aligned with physical evidence recovered at the crime scene. “The swift resolution of this case was made possible by the cooperation of the community and the dedication of our investigators,” Claravall stated.

The Philippine National Police leadership praised the rapid investigation, noting that the arrests demonstrated improved coordination and investigative capacity. PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. remarked, “This is another proof of the significant improvements in the investigative and operational capabilities of your PNP, and we will continue to invest on this for the safety and peace of mind of the people.”

The four suspects were apprehended in a hot pursuit operation in Isabela province on March 11, just two days after the discovery of the victims’ remains. Authorities confirmed that one of the suspects is believed to be the mastermind behind the killings.

The Delos Trinos couple had served as caretakers, or “kasama,” for the farm owner along with another worker. Their brutal deaths shocked the local community, which relied on them for agricultural work. The case has drawn widespread attention in Nueva Ecija, not only for its gruesome nature but also for the swift police action that led to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators.

With charges now filed, authorities say the focus will shift to ensuring justice for the victims and their surviving family members. The community, meanwhile, continues to mourn the loss of Romeo and Mely, whose lives were violently cut short in the very place they had long called home.