The body of a beloved Philippines LGBTI activist was found only a few hundred meters from his home in Cebu City.

Locals found Raymond Mabini, also known as Rica Reyes, dead in a ravine on Tuesday (23 April). They found his body at the bottom of a slope in the mountain area of Babag.

Police said he had several wounds to his head and body. Police also found him with his underwear and shorts below his waist.

The 25-year-old student studied agriculture at the Cebu Technological University and lead Babag’s LGBTI group. He was last spotted at 7pm on Monday after visiting his brother at work.

Police are still investigating and have not ruled out foul play.

‘We still do not know anything because he (Mabini) did not have any known conflicts with anyone,’ Police Staff Sergeant Mark Daclan told CDN Digital.

Daclan speculated someone may have deliberately lured Mabini to the area. He also suggested someone had tried to play a prank on him that backfired.

‘We are still waiting for the autopsy result because it’s possible that he just fell into the ravine, or maybe it was intentional or somebody was playing a prank on him, causing him to fall,’ he said.

Remembering Rica Reyes

Hundreds of people paid tribute to Mabini on his Facebook page.

‘REST IN PEACE, OUR FRIEND RICA REYES,’ wrote one Facebook user.

Cebu City’s assistant administrator, Annabeth Cuizon, also used Facebook to commemorate Mabini.

‘In memory of Raymund Mabini aka Rica Reyes, an LGBT and an active member of the Cebu City LGBT community who was murdered last night. #JusticeforRicaReyes,’ she wrote.

Cebu is one of the biggest cities in the Philippines. It is also considered one of the most progressive when it come to LGBTI rights and popular gay tourist destination.

Last year, Cebu passed an ordinance protecting LGBTI people from discrimination.