A 15-YEAR-OLD student who was reported missing was found dead in the waters off Hagnaya Port in Barangay Hagnaya, San Remigio town, Cebu, at 7:46 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.
The victim was identified as Mark Salvador Samson, a resident of Purok Sikwa, Barangay Hagnaya, San Remigio, Cebu.
According to the Women and Children Protection Desk of the San Remigio Municipal Police Station, the victim’s body was found on the ramp of Hagnaya Port by one Rodulfo Layague.
Layague immediately called the Philippine Coast Guard and Municipal Health Officer Dr. Orleta Ursal, who confirmed that the boy was already dead.
Police said based on statements from the victim’s companions, around 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, an apprentice of M/V Island Venture identified as Cris Eljohn Calixton Dubal, 23, of Purok 2, Barangay Maitum, Sarangani Province, offered a P1,000 reward to anyone who could find his cellphone that had fallen into the sea the previous day.
The minors attempted to search for the lost cellphone, but the victim failed to resurface and was later reported missing.
The victim’s companions sought help from the San Remigio police, who coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard for a search and rescue operation in the waters off Hagnaya Port.
The search was unsuccessful until police received information that a child’s body had been found at the port.
Authorities said the victim’s remains will undergo an autopsy to determine the cause of death and establish whether foul play was involved. / AYB
