3 kids drown in Alcantara

CEBU, Philippines - Bodies of three children were found in the shores of barangay Palanas in the western town of Alcantara over the weekend.

Details of the children’s death remain sketchy but the victims were identified as Willy Claritejas, 7, Jonna Mae Garao, 7, and Virgil Yosores, 8. The three were neighbors in the mountain barangay of Lawaan, also in Alcantara town.

Police said the brother of one of the children reportedly went fishing in barangay Palanas, a coastline barangay of Alcantara last Saturday, April 9, and the three children reportedly followed him. They were reported missing on the same day.

Past 4pm that day, the body of Claritejas was found floating along the shore in Palanas. Hours later, around 10pm, Yosores’ body was also found floating near the shoreline.

Early morning yesterday, Garao’s body was found in the same area.

Police suspect the children might have drowned at sea. - Johanna T. Natavio/JMO (THE FREEMAN)