CEBU, Philippines — Two seven-year-old boys who had been missing for three days were found dead inside an abandoned vehicle in Barangay Tuyan, City of Naga, Cebu on Wednesday noon, May 20.
Police identified the victims as Remart Conag and Jeff Xian Abellar, both residents of Sitio Tapon in Barangay Tuyan. They were reported missing by their families on Sunday, May 17.
Police Lt. Col. Dexter Calacar, chief of the Naga City Police Station, said the bodies were discovered after residents noticed a foul odor coming from a Kia Picanto sedan inside a private property. Residents in the area said they had already detected the smell as early as 5 a.m. Wednesday.
Calacar said the vehicle had been left abandoned inside the property owned by the Lara family since its owner died in 2021.
Initial investigation showed that the children were seen entering the garage of the Lara family where the abandoned vehicle was parked. Investigators believe the children may have accidentally locked themselves inside, and were unable to get out.
In a separate report by DYHP RMN Cebu, one of the children was found in the driver’s seat while the other was discovered at the back portion of the vehicle. Both bodies were already in an advanced state of decomposition.
The remains were later identified by the victims’ mothers, who also granted permission for the burial of the children at a cemetery in Barangay Nalaad, Cebu City.
Calacar said authorities are continuing their investigation and will review closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage in the area to determine whether foul play was involved or if liability may fall on the owner of the property where the vehicle was left parked. — Paul Benedict Sariana, CNU Intern/FPL (FREEMAN)