TWO grade school children were found dead a night after they went missing in an east coast village of Zamboanga City, the police said Thursday, June 19, 2024.
The police identified the fatalities as Ivan Apolinario, 10, Grade 5; and Joshua Sanuddin, 8, Grade 1.
They were found dead early morning Thursday, June 19, having drowned in a quarry pond in Sitio Islamia, Cabaluay village, 19 kilometers east of Zamboanga City Hall.
Delfin Apolinario, grandfather of Ivan, said his grandson went home before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, and left moments later, bringing along a fishing rod.
“He wanted us to go home together from school, but I told him that my off was at 5 p.m.,” the elder Apolinario said. He and some companions were constructing a septic tank at the school.
The police said the two children were last seen around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, walking toward the pond, bringing fishing rods. The pond is located less than 100 meters from Apolinario’s residence.
The elder Apolinario said they started searching for his grandson around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, when he failed to return home.
He said he was unable to sleep the whole night as they failed to find his grandson.
He was informed by a relative that Ivan had been found dead together with Sanuddin while he was at Zamboanga City Police Station 3 in Sangali village to report his grandson missing.
The police said a post-mortem examination will be conducted on Ivan's remains to determine the real cause of death.
Sanuddin’s remains were brought to their residence in Mampang village and were buried in accordance with Muslim tradition. (SunStar Zamboanga)