MANILA, Philippines - The search for two boys reported missing in Barangay Wawa in Taguig City last April 27 turned tragic after their decomposing bodies were found inside a black Mercedes Benz parked in a lot just a stone's throw away from their barangay hall.
Senior Superintendent Arthur Asis, Taguig City police chief, said the bodies of Dayne Buenaflor, 3; and James Naraga, 4 were found inside a black 190 E Mercedes Benz (UGX-606) parked inside a fenced lot owned by Leonardo Valenzuela along Dama de Noche St. at about 10 a.m.
Buenaflor is the nephew of Barangay Wawa captain Phillip Buenaflor.
According to residents of the barangay, the Mercedes Benz along with other expensive cars and vans parked in the fenced lot are being used for spare parts.
Asis said the bodies were found by three boys who were asked by Butch Valenzuela, the lot owner's brother, to clean the lot.
Asis said the boys smelled something foul inside one of the cars. They then approached the Mercedes Benz and saw that one of the doors was ajar. Opening the passenger door, they saw the decomposing bodies of the two missing boys at the backseat.
Asis told reporters that days after the two boys were reported missing, their parents looked for them at the lot where the cars were parked but they were not seen.
"Ayon sa mga magulang, sinilip din nila ang lugar na ito pero nung sinilip nila ang mga sasakyan, ay wala naman silang nakitang tao o bata sa loob. So ngayon lang sila nakabalik dito at confirmed na mga anak nila ito," said Asis.
Asis said they are still tracing the owner of the black Mercedes Benz.
He said that it is possible that the missing boys were playing at the lot when they accidentally locked themselves inside the car and were not able to get out. However, Asis added that the case would still be investigated.
Asis also said that initial investigation shows that the bodies of the missing boys bore no signs of struggle.
"wala tayong nakitang tali o bakas na parang may struggle. Malalaman yan sa resulta ng SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operatives) investigation," he said.
Police said the bodies of the missing boys were identified by their parents through their clothes. Asis said the bodies of the missing boys were so badly decomposed and "compressed."