By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The remains recovered off the coast of Valladolid, Negros Occidental last week were recently identified by authorities.

After speculations the remains were of a teenager, Valladolid municipal police chief, Police Senior Inspector Junju Liba, identified the victim as 10-year-old Allan Jake Tabal, a resident of Tubungan, Iloilo.

The victim was recognized after his father, Orlando, visited the funeral parlor in Bago City, Negros Occidental where there remains were temporarily interred following a post-mortem examination.

According to the victim’s father, Tabal went missing last September 22, when he and his grandmother went to the town’s river to catch crabs. However, a flash flood occurred in the area and both the minor and his grandmother were swept away.

The victim’s grandmother was later found dead by local rescue units, but they failed to find Tabal, who was later swept away into the sea and eventually recovered by Valladolid Bantay Dagat personnel along the Guimaras Strait.

Although saddened over the loss, the elder Tabal said he is relieved his son was found as he wanted to give him a decent burial./DGB, WDJ