Search and recovery teams retrieve the bodies from a ravine in Barangay Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet on Tuesday, 15 October 2019. (PTV Cordillera)

BAGUIO CITY– Authorities found five decomposing bodies and two human skeletons in a ravine along Marcos Highway in Tuba, Benguet on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Tuba police, the five cadavers found 39 meters below the road in Poyopoy, Barangay Taloy Sur were believed dumped there more than two weeks ago. The two skeletons, meanwhile, may been there for more than a month already.

Individuals looking for their missing relatives in the area encountered and reported the foul smell from the ravine to the Tuba Municipal Police Station (MPS) that led to the discovery of the remains.

MPS members and personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection and 911 retrieved the bodies. A team of Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) also went to the site.

All remains were recovered around 4:20 p.m. of 15 October 2019.

According to Tuba Police chief Police Major James Acod, there are individuals looking for their missing relatives from Ifugao Province.

He said one of the cadavers was described to be of a female person while the others are already beyond recognition because of their advanced stage of decomposition.

Some people advised the individuals looking for their missing relatives to go to the area of Poyopoy which they did. There, they encountered the foul smell being emitted by the rotting cadavers that led to the search and recovery operation.

The police are now investigating to determine the identities.