The body of a 15-year-old boy in Lapu-Lapu City who went missing while having a swim in seawaters despite inclement weather was already recovered.

According to divers, the body of Sean Clinton Pedroza was found in the waters of Barangay Punta Engaño about 500 meters away from where he was having a swim on October 23, 2024.

The vessel that carried his body arrived at the port in Punta Engaño at about 10 a.m. on October 25, 2024.

Federico Pedroza, the father, has identified positively the body to be that of his son despite Sean Clinton’s already unrecognizable face.

Federico identified him through his haircut, undergarment, and other body features.

“Iyang tupi, iyang brief, iyang lawas. Miburot lang siya pero maka-confirm ko nga siya gyud bisan iyang nawong dili na klaro, gubâ na,” Federico said.

Sean took a swim despite strong winds and huge waves experienced in Cebu brought about by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Kristine.”

On the third day of the search, three teams of divers resumed operations at about 7 a.m. on October 25, 2024.

"Ang body nalocate nato within the proximity sa usa ka hotel didto which is mao nay first nato site gidive gahapon [October 24, 2024],” SFO2 Conarcani Ortiz from the Bureau of Fire Protection, incident commander, said.

Aside from divers, there were other teams who conducted surface search.

The body was found below water surface, but that the body was already about to float to the surface, according to an official of the Lapu-Lapu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

“Nikub [nikulob] na siya. Surfacing naman siya kay pila ka days [na]. Padung na siya mosaka [sa surface],” Emy Bonghanoy, CENRO chief, said.

The rescuers were glad that the weather condition improved considerably on the third day of their search because overcast skies posed challenges on the first and second days.