A 15-year-old girl who had been missing for nearly two days was found dead Thursday in a plantation in Barangay Maligo, Polomolok, South Cotabato authorities said.
The victim, identified by police through her family as alias Shaina, was discovered without clothing by a pineapple plantation worker on Jan. 15. She was already lifeless when found, according to initial reports.
The girl’s mother told authorities that she last saw her daughter on Jan. 13, 2026, after the teenager asked permission to go swimming at a nearby pool. The victim did not return home, prompting concern from her family.
Police said the discovery of the body came almost two days after the girl was reported missing. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance and death remain unclear.
Authorities immediately secured the area after the body was found and coordinated with local officials for proper documentation and retrieval. The remains were turned over to appropriate authorities for examination.
Investigators said they are conducting a thorough probe to determine the cause of death and to establish whether foul play was involved. Possible suspects have not been identified as of this writing.
Local police are also coordinating with barangay officials and residents in the area to gather information that could help establish the girl’s last known movements before she went missing.
Authorities urged anyone with information related to the case to come forward and cooperate with investigators.
The case remains under active investigation as police work to determine accountability and clarify the events that led to the teenager’s death.
