The National Bureau of Investigation said Thursday, November 5, that it is preparing six criminal complaints against people behind the dumping of pet remains in a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, with more cases expected to follow.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag announced the move after two self-identified operators of Pet HPHT Crematory voluntarily appeared before the bureau and gave sworn statements, according to Inquirer.net's report.
What the investigation found
The two individuals admitted that Bacoor City-based Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium had been delivering deceased pets to them for cremation, even though Ahjay Paws had no cremation facility or equipment of its own.
Matibag said the volume of remains arriving was large, based on the couple's own confession, so they chose to bury the animals instead. Three dump sites have been pinpointed so far.
The two also told investigators that Pet HPHT Crematory was originally supposed to supply equipment to Ahjay Paws but never delivered it. That left the San Jose del Monte operators responsible for cremating the remains, and the result, as Matibag put it, is that no ashes were ever truly returned to grieving owners.
Since it was Ahjay Paws that handed out the supposed ashes, Matibag said that technically no cremation was taking place at all. For pet owners who paid for a dignified farewell to a beloved dog or cat, that is the hardest truth of this case.
Six initial complaints, and more pet owners coming forward
Matibag said the NBI will file six initial complaints covering six of the 25 pet owners, or fur parents, already identified as affected. He expressed confidence in the strength of the evidence.
We will let the Department of Justice identify who should serve as witnesses to further establish liability, he said.
He called on other affected pet owners to coordinate with the NBI to strengthen the case. The Philippine National Police has separately indicated the crematorium could face as many as 250 complaints, according to Philstar.com's coverage.
How could this happen for over a year?
Matibag said the NBI still needs to dig deeper into Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium itself, and in particular into how it was allowed to operate for more than a year without the facilities it advertised.
That question should trouble every local government that licenses businesses in this space. A pet crematorium that charges owners for a service it cannot physically perform is not just a consumer issue; it is a regulatory failure that let a business run on grief and trust.
The NBI's Environmental Crimes Division is leading the investigation amid mounting complaints from pet owners over the improper disposal of animal remains, The Manila Times reported. Earlier this week, the bureau moved to issue subpoenas to the individuals behind the crematorium, according to GMA News Online.
No exit for those involved
Matibag said he has directed the issuance of Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders, or ILBOs, against individuals involved in the case, to make sure none of them can slip out of the country while the complaints move forward.
The ILBO is a familiar tool in high-profile investigations, and its use here signals that the bureau treats this as a serious criminal matter, not a mere regulatory squabble over paperwork.
Why this matters to pet owners everywhere
For millions of Filipino families, pets are family. The aftercare industry has grown quickly in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, with Cavite and Bulacan both home to bedroom communities full of households that treat their dogs and cats as children.
This case is a warning to every owner who trusted a crematorium with a pet's final journey. Ask the hard questions. Visit the facility. Demand proof of cremation. Until regulators impose real standards on pet aftercare businesses, the burden of vigilance falls on the people who are already grieving.
The Department of Justice will now take the case forward, and the NBI has promised that further investigation into Ahjay Paws and its operation is far from over.
Frequently asked questions
What did the NBI find in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan?
Pet remains intended for cremation were found dumped in sacks and plastic bags at a vacant lot. Three dump sites have been identified so far, according to NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
Who is facing complaints over the dumped pet remains?
The NBI is preparing six initial complaints against people behind the dumping, including operators of Pet HPHT Crematory in San Jose del Monte and Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium in Bacoor City, Cavite.
Were the pets actually cremated?
No. Matibag said that based on sworn statements, no real cremation took place, and the ashes distributed to owners did not come from genuine cremations.
Can affected pet owners still join the case?
Yes. Matibag called on other fur parents whose pets were handled by the crematoriums to coordinate with the NBI to strengthen the evidence.