Pinoy Dole executive found dead inside car

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A 59-year-old Filipino executive of the American-owned Dole pineapple plantation was found dead, apparently due to health reasons, inside his car in the sprawling farm in Tupi, South Cotabato yesterday morning.

Lt. Cmdr. George Ursabia Jr., the city’s Coast Guard chief, said his father, George Sr., was last seen Saturday supervising the fertilization activities of his men at the 11,000-hectare pineapple plantation.

The older Ursabia was a superintendent of Dole’s agriculture division.

"We could not almost recognize him. My father’s body was already in a state of decomposition," he said.

He said his father’s seatbelt was still hooked on and that there was nothing unusual inside his Suzuki Vitara.

Ursabia said his father recently complained about his deteriorating health. Recent medical tests showed he was suffering from a heart ailment, he added.

Chief Superintendent Jose Dalumpines, Central Mindanao police director, said he doubted earlier speculations that the notorious Pentagon kidnap for ransom gang could have snatched the older Ursabia.