Father in Prison Attends Burial of 12-Year-Old Daughter in Toledo City
The parents of Crystal Joy Abarquez, a 12-year-old girl, experienced profound sorrow as their daughter was laid to rest at the cemetery in Ibo, Toledo City, on the afternoon of Tuesday, February 24, 2026. In a rare gesture of compassion, the father, who is currently incarcerated, was granted permission by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to attend the funeral service.
Community Mourns as Hundreds Gather for Funeral
An estimated hundreds of people gathered to pay their final respects to Abarquez, affectionately known as 'Inday Joyjoy'. During the requiem mass led by Reverend Father Jake Reyes at the St. John of Sahagun Shrine, he delivered a homily expressing hope for an end to drug-related violence, which he described as tearing families apart and often victimizing the innocent. "We are grieving, saddened, and angered by what happened to this child. Let Crystal be the last victim of drugs," a portion of Fr. Reyes' sermon stated.
Emotional Scenes as Family Confronts Tragedy
The father of the young girl could not contain his emotions during the final viewing, as he placed his daughter into the coffin. He expressed uncertainty about how he would react if he ever encountered the suspect, who is reportedly a relative, should their paths cross in the future. Meanwhile, the mother, Christine, amidst her tears, thanked the community for their support during this difficult time. "Inday has been laid to rest properly. Thank you very much to all the people who helped us," Christine said.
Murder Charges Filed Against Suspect
In a related development, the suspect, Rowell Villapaña Jr., was charged with murder on Monday, February 23, 2026. It is recalled that February 11 was the last day Abarquez was seen alive, captured on CCTV footage riding a motorcycle before she was reported missing. Her body was later discovered with her neck tied to a coconut tree, found only after a dog uncovered part of her remains. The incident occurred in a wooded area near the boundary of Barangay Ibo and Barangay Cabitoonan in Toledo City.
