Two 7-year-old boys who had been missing for three days were found dead inside an abandoned vehicle on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Purok Yoso, Barangay Tuyan, Naga City. The victims were identified as Reymart Conag of Purok Hagonoy and Jheff Xian Abellar of Purok Kardaba, both residents of the same barangay.
Initial Investigation
According to initial police investigation, Conag and Abellar had not returned home since Sunday, May 17. Their parents reported the disappearance to the Naga Police Station. Investigators traced the last known location of the two friends through CCTV footage, which showed them heading toward an abandoned vehicle.
Police located the gray Kia Picanto after noticing a foul odor emanating from the area. Upon opening the car, they found the bodies of the two children, already in an advanced state of decomposition. The families immediately buried the remains.
Community Reaction
Earlier, residents had noticed the smell but assumed it was a dead animal. The car's tinted windshield made it difficult to see inside. Jhesa Abellar, mother of Jheff, said she last spoke to her son on Sunday and had intended to put him to sleep after lunch, but he wandered off with Reymart without her noticing.
Bernadette Conag, mother of Reymart, said she also did not hear from her son and thought he was just playing nearby. The two boys were close friends and often played together.
Parents' Statement
The parents are convinced that there was no foul play and that the deaths were a tragic accident resulting from the children being locked inside the car. The incident has shocked the community and raised concerns about abandoned vehicles in the area.
