Search on for suspect behind 'mysterious' death of 2 minors

SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines - Policemen are searching for a suspect in the mysterious death of two minors who went missing July 19 and were found dead Tuesday along an irrigation dike in an interior barangay in Isulan town.

Jay Seraylo reportedly invited last week the victims, Robert Malet, 14, and Rey Pacifico, 15, both from Tantangan town in South Cotabato, to play basketball in an interior barangay in Isulan, capital of Sultan Kudarat.

Investigators said Seraylo was a former family driver of the Malet family in Tantangan.

Seraylo reportedly went to see the mother of the 14-year-old Malet, Lorna, at the town proper of Tantangan a day after the victims disappeared and asked for a P50,000 cash in exchange for information that would lead her to son's whereabouts.

Mrs. Malet was found injured and unconscious at the border of Isulan’s adjoining Barangay Tayugo and New Pangasinan two days later.

The cadavers of the two adolescents were found along an irrigation dike about a kilometer away.

Supt. Jofel Siazon, chief of the Isulan police, said the two minors appeared to have been drowned in the dike since their bodies bore no gunshot or knife wounds.