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November 6, 2026 | 7:42am
A blurred image shows the remains of pets found inside plastic bags dumped along a roadside in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.
Luna and Furry Siblings via Facebook
Content warning: This article contains references to dumped animal remains.
MANILA, Philippines — Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium in Bacoor, Cavite, contracted a married couple in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, to cremate dead pets entrusted to the establishment, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Thursday, November 5.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the Bacoor-based crematorium had initially ordered cremation equipment, but the machinery was never delivered, forcing the establishment to outsource the service to the couple.
The couple was supposed to cremate the animals and return their ashes to Ahjay Paws for release to their respective owners.
However, the couple allegedly could not accommodate the volume of dead pets sent to their facility and resorted to burying some of the remains instead of cremating them.
“Ang findings na natin dito, Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium, wala siyang facility, wala siyang equipment to do the cremation. So pinadala niya doon. Malaki 'yung volume ng dumarating,” Matibag said in an interview with GMA News.
(Our findings here: Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium had no facility or equipment to perform cremations, so the animals were sent there. A large volume was being delivered.)
Matibag said the couple eventually buried the animals, while some remains were dumped instead of being properly disposed of.
“So ang ginawa nila, linibing nila,” he added, citing the couple's testimony.
(So what they did was bury them.)
The dead animals were transported from Bacoor to San Jose del Monte City using a delivery courier service. Matibag said the courier was unaware that the packages contained animal remains because these were placed in sacks and plastic bags.
The couple surrendered to the NBI on Wednesday, November 4, and submitted statements detailing how the animals were handled. They also expressed willingness to testify in the investigation.
“We will help the Department of Justice identify who qualifies as a witness to further establish who has liabilities, but there is already a sworn statement based on the investigation of the Environmental Crime Division,” Matibag explained.
The NBI will forward the complaints to the Department of Justice, which will determine whether the couple may qualify as state witnesses.
The investigation follows the discovery of the remains of 26 dogs and three cats in plastic bags along a roadside in San Jose del Monte City on October 31. Bacoor City Mayor Strike Revilla ordered the closure of Ahjay Paws and directed the police to investigate its owner.
Matibag said a total of 49 dead pets had been linked to the couple, including those recently found in Bulacan.
The NBI will initially file six cases based on the complaints submitted to the bureau, with Matibag saying investigators already have sufficient evidence to bring the matter before the prosecutor's office.
The agency is also investigating possible violations of sanitation and environmental laws arising from the transportation and disposal of the animal remains.
The crematorium's management could also face estafa and violations of the Consumer Protection Act.
Meanwhile, around 250 pet owners are expected to file complaints against Ahjay Paws, according to earlier statements from local authorities.
The NBI is also looking into the possible liability of other individuals involved in the operation and seeking an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order to prevent them from leaving the country.
