Two children who went missing for about 24 hours in La Paz, Iloilo City were found to be trapped in an abandoned car.

The two were identified as “Buknoy,” four years old, and “Camelle,” five years old, both residents of Barangay Baldoza, La Paz, Iloilo City.

The children were reported missing in the morning of October 12, 2024 and were rescued in the morning of October 13, 2024.

The two are set to undergo psychosocial intervention from specialists of the Iloilo City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

The two will also undertake psychological and medical intervention after they reportedly drank murky water.

“Daw ano bala sir kahigko ina. Tapos allegedly, may gingamit sila nga baso nga ara nakita sa sulod sang salakyan. Te abandonado na to, pila na to ayhan ka bulan or tuig (Marumi yun. Tapos allegedly, may ginamit silang baso na kanilang nakita sa loob ng sasakyan. Abandonado na yun, ilang buwan o taon na siguro,” according to Mary Grace Centino, assistant for overall operations of Iloilo CSWDO.

Buknoy’s mother said that her son asked permission to get some toys outside of their residence.

“Ang last niya nga hambal sa akon, Mama, sukadi ko kay ma-eat na ako. Wait mo lang ko ma, kay makwa ko toys sa gwa. Pagtika ko, wala na siya (Ang last niyang sinabi sa akin, “Mama ipaghanda mo ako dahil kakain na ako. Wait lang Ma, kukunin ko lang ang toys ko sa labas.” Tiningnan ko, wala na siya),” Ma. Lorraine Asturias, the mother, narrated.

Lorraine sought the help of barangay workers and officials. She learned that another child, Camelle, was also missing.

A CCTV footage showed the two kids were running along with two other children at 10:30 a.m. that day.

Relatives, residents, and barangay officials inspected areas where the children could be possibly found including the river nearby until dawn, but they could not be located.

At about 8 a.m. of October 13, 2024, an abandoned car parked about 50 meters from the children's residences was inspected where the two were found alive and crying out loud.

The two were given immediate medical attention.

The owner of the car himself heard noise from inside the vehicle. He went to check and found the two kids inside. He destroyed the window hurriedly, he said, to get the children out.

“Pagpalapit ko di sa salakyan, may nakita ko nga may naggiho. So ang babaye nga bata, amo to siya gale ang gatultog. Gahambal siya pero indi ko mabatian kun ano hambal ya (Paglapit ko sa sasakyan, may nakita akong kumikilos. So ang babaeng bata, siya pala yung kumakatok. May sinasabi akong kumikilos. So ang babaeng bata, siya pala yung kumakatok. May sinasabi siya ngunit hindi ko marinig kung ano),” Roly de la Cruz, the car owner, said.

Camelle’s father said the experience serves as a lesson to parents on maximum supervision  over their children. He is thankful that his daughter is safe.

“Salamat sa Mahal nga Ginoo nga nakita sila. Ang mga kabataan subong, indi na gawa pagpalagawon (Salamat sa  Mahal na Panginoon na nakita sila. Ang mga bata ngayon, huwag nang pagalain),” Camelle’s father, Kerk Jareol, said.

According to the police, the children could have suffocated while they were trapped had it not been for the several holes in the car that provided ventilation.

It was not determined though how the two were locked inside the car.

“There are several holes nga created by the rust ukon "tuktok." Those tiny holes are enough nga makasulod ang oxygen sa sulod (There were several holes na created by the rust or “kalawang.” Those tiny holes are enough na nakapasok ang oxygen sa loob,” Iloilo City Police Office Director, Colonel Kim Legada said.