SINDANGAN, Zamboanga del Norte — A mother is seeking answers after her child was found lifeless beside her while they were sleeping on the porch of their home in Barangay Maras, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, in the early hours of Sunday, October 25.
According to the mother’s account, the child had shown no apparent signs of illness before they settled down to sleep outdoors. However, shortly after 2 a.m., she noticed that her child was no longer breathing.
The mother was reportedly alarmed further when she noticed scratches around the child’s neck, ear and nape, along with bruises and marks on the face. She immediately called for help, but the child could no longer be revived.
The unexpected death has left the family searching for an explanation, particularly because the child reportedly appeared well before going to sleep. The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the nature and origin of the visible marks, have yet to be established.
The mother reportedly believes that a wakwak or balbal—supernatural creatures in Filipino folklore—may have attacked her child. However, this remains a personal belief and has not been substantiated by evidence. No available information confirms that a supernatural entity was involved.
As of this writing, the actual cause of death has not been established, and there is no confirmed information determining whether the incident involved foul play or a medical cause. Further investigation and appropriate medical examination would be necessary to clarify what happened.
The case underscores the importance of establishing the facts before drawing conclusions about an unexplained death. While the family’s fear and grief are understandable, the reported injuries alone cannot determine how the child died or who, if anyone, was responsible.
Authorities have yet to provide further confirmed details about the incident, including the child’s identity, age, and the results of any examination or investigation.
The family is left mourning the loss of a child under circumstances that remain unclear, as the community awaits reliable information about what happened in Barangay Maras.