PALO, Leyte – Former Abuyog, Leyte Vice Mayor James Bohol and his son, Carlou James "Jimbo" Bohol, who were abducted over the weekend, have been found dead, Mayor Lemuel Gin Traya confirmed on Tuesday.

Traya said the Philippine National Police informed him of the "tragic and senseless demise" of the former vice mayor and his son.

"The Local Government Unit of Abuyog unequivocally condemns this heinous act of violence," Traya said in a statement. "Such profound lawlessness has no place in our society, as it directly violates the peace, order, and security that we uphold within our municipality."

The confirmation came after two bodies were found in a ravine about seven to eight meters deep along a roadside in Barangay Imelda, Silago, Southern Leyte, about a kilometer from the town proper, at around 9:57 a.m. Tuesday.

Personnel from the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) were dispatched to identify the victims.

The father and son were abducted at around 1 p.m. on Saturday, 27 June, from their office inside a warehouse in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Mayorga, Leyte.

Earlier, Faye Bohol, daughter of the former vice mayor, appealed on social media for help in locating the two after the suspects were reportedly seen leaving Sta. Clara Port in Allen, Northern Samar, for Matnog, Sorsogon, at around 4:55 a.m. on Sunday, 28 June.

She said the victims were forcibly taken by three men using a Mitsubishi Mirage with plate number GBA 6637. Authorities said the suspects later traveled to Luzon in a gray Toyota Hilux bearing plate number HAH 5228.

"We extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the immediate family, and to everyone who grieves this catastrophic loss," Traya said.

Police have yet to identify the suspects or establish the motive behind the killings.