Two brothers, five and six years old, in Labason, Zamboanga del Norte died after getting trapped in a damaged pickup truck for two days.

Police said the boys were playing and picking guava together with a girl near a shop where damaged vehicles are parked on Sunday, January 26, 2025.

The girl reportedly went home crying when the boys did not give her guava and, out of fear, the two boys reportedly hid inside the truck.

The vehicle, which has tinted windows, reportedly got locked.

“Na-trap sila didto kay kaning pickup truck, gipaayo and dugay na kaayo ni siya nga gibilin sa shop. Unya, kaning pickup truck tinted ni siya, dili ni siya makita, nakabutang siya diri sa daplin, isolated nga lugar nga dili gyud siya mapansin,” Labason Municipal Police Station Chief, Captain Roy Malayo, said.

It was the shop owner who found the boys two days later on January 28. The kids’ bodies were reportedly already in a state of decomposition.

Authorities said that based on marks and evidence found in the vehicle, the boys tried to break the windows but still failed to pry them open.

‘Gi-try atung magulang og pukpuk ang salamin, gitanggal ang center mirror, nabasag tong windshield pero dili gyud siya makalusot kay igo lang siya nabuak. Kining sa front seat pud nga salamin nabuak pud pero dili gyud siya enough,” Malayo added.

Police said the boys’ mother sought police help when her sons went missing.

"Wala ko gadahom nga mabot sila didtung dapita…luoy kaayo tu sila sa sulod,” the boys’ mother said.

Police urged parents to look after their children.

“Ang atong anak, ato gyud nga bantayan... kung dunay magpaayo sa ilang shop, be sure nga before sila muhawa sa ilang sakyanan, close gayud ang ilang pultahan,” Malayo added.