“DILI nako kaya, ngano mani?”
These were the heartbreaking words of Fatima Lumapas, the mother of a 15-year-old Grade 10 student who was found dead early Friday morning in the waters of Zone 1, Punta, Barangay Bonbon.
Lumapas, who had been pleading for help on Facebook since her son went missing on Dec. 3, broke down upon confirming the recovered body was indeed her child.
According to a relative, the family had viewed school CCTV footage showing the boy leaving the campus before he disappeared. His last communication with the family was a message stating he would take a motorcycle service to go home.
However, the discovery of the boy’s phone, which was found still in his pocket, deepened the mystery. Family members revealed that upon checking the device, there was no record of a ride booking, contradicting his final message.
Police authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the student’s disappearance and tragic end.
