Trigger warning: Mention of death, drowning
Two of the three passengers who went missing after a motorized boat capsized in Mapanuepe Lake in San Marcelino, Zambales, were found dead on Saturday, August 29.
The Zambales police said the remains of the children were found floating in separate areas of the lake by residents and members of the search and retrieval team, RH Danny Cumilang reported.
The first body, an Aeta child, was spotted by five residents aboard a motorized boat traveling from Sitio Lumibao to Barangay Buhawen. The second was later recovered by police officers who were part of the search and retrieval operation near the area.
Authorities positively identified the remains as those of a boy and a girl who were among the three Aeta children reported missing after the boat capsized on Thursday, August 27.
The incident occurred as the victims, who were among the passengers of the boat, were returning home after obtaining food and medicine from a health center. Strong winds and waves, reportedly caused by bad weather and the southwest monsoon or habagat, caused the boat to capsize.
According to authorities, 13 people were aboard the boat. Six were previously confirmed dead, while four survived. The recovery of the two children brings the number of missing passengers down to one.
The recovered remains were brought to Brgy. Buhawen Proper as the search and retrieval operation continues for the last missing passenger.
