The parents of the student whose body was burned in Bacnotan, La Union are calling for justice and a swift resolution to the case.

The student, Mark Dave Valdez, was found to have been stabbed multiple times with an ice pick and struck in the head with a hard object. His body was then set on fire.

His remains were found on July 2, 2024.

His family said Mark Dave always brought joy to them each time he would go home to Pozorrubio, Pangasinan. He was studying in Baguio City. 

His parents described him as a cheerful and loving son.

The gruesome details of the murder have left the Valdez family in shock and disbelief.

"Hindi ko matanggap ang sinapit ng anak ko, ang bait-bait niya bakit siya ginanyan," Emidy Valdez, Mark Dave's mother, said.

"Nag-iisang anak ko sya, hindi ko kaya [matanggap] ang ginawa nila sa anak ko," Alfonso Valdez, Mark Dave's father, said.

"Hindi natutulog ang Diyos. Sa kung sino man ang gumawa, demonyo sila, kriminal sila," Emidy added.

The police are now considering three possible motives for the crime but have not disclosed further details as the investigation continues.

A significant lead in the case is the Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker in the car that Mark Dave rented and used to travel to La Union. 

The police have also obtained closed circuit television (CCTV) footage that may aid in the investigation.

"Ngayon, ang ginagawa ng ating Chief of Police at ng mga imbestigador natin ay tina-track na nila ang hinintuan at pinuntahan ng sasakyan," PLTCOL. Jake Isidro, Public Information Officer (PIO) of La Union Police Provincial Office (PPO), said.

Authorities are also investigation if someone was with Mark Dave in the car before he was found dead.