Bodies of 2 missing Aeta children retrieved from Zambales lake

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — The bodies of two Aeta children who went missing after a boat carrying 13 passengers capsized in Mapanuepe Lake near San Marcelino town were recovered Saturday, Aug. 29, three days after the incident.

The two were identified as Chandnea Serrano dela Cruz, 3, and Anqelito Serrano Liwanag, 8, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

In a phone interview, Police Maj. Exodus Rodriguez, chief of the San Marcelino police, said a resident traveling toward Barangay Buhawen spotted the body of the 3-year-old girl while passing through the lake.

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READ: Search resumes for 3 missing Aeta after boat capsizes in Zambales

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The resident retrieved the child and brought her to authorities, where her father confirmed her identity, Rodriguez said.

After the girl’s body was recovered, police asked a boatman to accompany them back to the area where she was found, according to Rodriguez.

They then spotted the body of Anqelito nearby and recovered it.

Rodriguez said weather conditions had been unpredictable during the search, with rain and strong winds easing at times before suddenly intensifying.

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Despite the conditions, search operations continued for the remaining missing passenger, a 26-year-old pregnant woman.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, the 13 Aeta passengers were aboard a motor banca that capsized near the Sunken Church in Barangay Buhawen while they were returning to their community in Sitio Lumibao.

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With the recovery of the two children, eight Aetas have now died in the incident, including five children, while four others survived. /das