Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Visayas
Boy, 5, found dead in Cebu creek, accidentally hacked by cousin?
Philippines
Visayas
Boy, 5, found dead in Cebu creek, accidentally hacked by cousin?
Boy, 5, found dead in Cebu creek, accidentally hacked by cousin?
Published Nov 28, 2025 10:06 pm
THE wake of a five-year-old boy who was found dead in a creek in Argao, Cebu province. (Contributed photo)
CEBU CITY – A five-year-old boy died in what was claimed as a freak accident in Argao town, Cebu province on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 26.
The boy was found lifeless in a creek with a wound on his neck, police said.
Police later found out that the wound was inflicted by his eight-year-old cousin, who claimed that what happened was an accident.
The names of the boys were withheld for being minors.
Police Executive Master Sgt. Vivian of the Women and Children Protection’s Desk said the boy’s mother went to their office to report that her son was found dead in a creek.
The mother said it was around 2 p.m. when her son asked permission that he would go to a river to gather freshwater shells.
The boy left together with his eight-year-old cousin.
The cousin went home around 4 p.m. but the mother was surprised when her son was not with him.
When asked by the mother, the eight-year-old boy said his cousin was still playing in the river.
The mother then went to the river but did not find her son there. She sought help from barangay officials and neighbors.
A search was launched and ended with the grim sight of the boy floating in the creek lifeless.
Police interviewed the cousin who narrated what took place while they were playing in the river.
The cousin said while they were playing, he asked the boy to remove the mud on his back. The cousin said he was surprised when the boy kicked him in the back.
The cousin said he retaliated by striking the boy with his hand. He said he didn’t realize that he was holding a cutter at the time.
As he swung, the cutter hit the boy’s neck, the cousin said.
The cousin said he thought nothing serious happened and left the boy behind.
Police said the cutter could no longer be found. The eight-year-old boy was later turned over to social workers.