VICTORIA, Tarlac — An initial forensic examination revealed no apparent external injuries on the bodies of two individuals found dead inside a vehicle along the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) Southbound in Barangay San Francisco here.
Following the discovery on June 17, 2026, the Tarlac Police Provincial Office (TPPO) confirmed that relatives had officially identified the deceased. The bodies were immediately transferred to a funeral facility.
The victims, a man and a woman, reportedly came from a fast-food drive-thru at around 2 AM yesterday before parking behind the gas station in the same area. The vehicle was first noticed parked for an unusually long time before employees requested emergency assistance around 2:45 PM.
TPPO Officer-in-Charge P/Colonel Harry Lorenzo III assured the public that the local police force, in coordination with the Tarlac Forensic Unit, is conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Ang Tarlac Police Provincial Office (TPPO) ay nagpapaalala sa publiko na maging responsable at maingat sa pagbabahagi ng impormasyon kaugnay ng insidenteng kinakasangkutan ng dalawang indibidwal na natagpuang walang buhay sa loob ng isang sasakyan sa TPLEX Southbound, Brgy. San Francisco, Victoria, Tarlac noong Hunyo 17, 2026,” Lorenzo said in an official statement.
He added that authorities are working to complete the forensic examination and other necessary procedures as quickly as possible to help resolve the case. While the identification of the victims remains a vital component of the ongoing investigation and case documentation, local authorities withheld their names out of respect for the grieving families.
According to the TPPO, the families have strictly requested privacy to mourn and process the tragedy without public scrutiny. They urged the public not to post or expand on the details of the incident online.
In line with this, the Tarlac police strongly cautioned the public against spreading unverified reports, rumors, and speculative comments that could confuse the investigation or inflict further emotional distress on the bereaved families.
“Tinitiyak ng Tarlac PPO na magbibigay kami ng update batay sa resulta ng imbestigasyon at sa mga ebidensyang nakalap ng mga awtoridad,” Lorenzo said, adding that citizens should only rely on official statements released by the Philippine National Police and other relevant government agencies.
