A NINE-MONTH-OLD infant who was placed inside a wooden box was discovered buried beside a house in Pasil, Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, Thursday, August 15.
The parents were held under police custody for investigation and possible case filing.
Police identified the baby boy as Mart Enderes, who was believed to have been buried barely a month ago by the parents Bonifacio and Marilou Quibol.
Major Ian Borinaga, Police Station 4 chief, said the parents buried their baby last July 18, after the latter died due to a supposed fever, as claimed by the father.
"Ang ingon sa papa ilang gilubong sa kilid sa ilang balay ang bata human kini mamatay tungod sa hilanat. Gihilantan ang bata unya pagka-ugma namatay niana dayong gabii sa July 18 ilang gilubong," Borinaga said.
Borinaga said authorities recovered the baby's skeletal remains covered by a diaper.
He said the parents opted to bury the baby beside their house due to financial problems. The father is working as construction worker.
Borinaga also said some neighbors reported that the parents were often seen drunk.
"Naay previous incident nga girescue sa barangay ang duha nila ka bata kay nahinaykan sa amahan," Borinaga said.
Investigators have requested the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) to conduct an autopsy on the body to determine the real cause of death.
Borinaga said the parents are detained, while authorities are looking for pieces of evidence to support parricide charges the parents will likely face.
The baby's three other siblings were brought to the social welfare office of the barangay for custody.