Family of teen found dead in plantation suspects more than two persons involved in crime

• The family of a 15-year-old victim believes more than two individuals were involved, citing the girl's physical strength to resist
• Two male friends, aged 22 and 26, are currently in police custody for the suspected premeditated attack in a pineapple plantation
• Police Colonel Samuel Cadungon confirmed that one suspect has unexplained bruises, which may be defensive marks from the victim
• H0micide charges have been filed while authorities wait for autopsy results to confirm if sexu@l assault also took place

The family of a 15-year-old girl found dead in a South Cotabato pineapple field is calling for a deeper investigation, expressing firm belief that more than two people were involved in the heinous crime.

While police currently have two male suspects in custody, the victim's relatives argue that the teenager’s physical strength and the nature of the scene suggest a larger group may be responsible.

The victim, who was reported missing on Monday after failing to return home from a resort gathering, was discovered lifeless in a plantation in Polomolok on Thursday.

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Her uncle, Roberto Escaran, told regional investigators that the family is struggling to accept that only two men could have overpowered her.

"Matangkad siya at malakas. Kung lumaban siya, hindi magiging sapat ang dalawang tao para masupil siya," Escaran explained in a local interview.

He pointed out that while there were no wounds on the upper part of her body, significant injuries were found around her waist and hips—areas that suggest a violent struggle.

The South Cotabato Police Provincial Office has already arrested two friends of the victim, aged 22 and 26. Police Colonel Samuel Cadungon, the provincial director, revealed that the crime appears to have been premeditated.

Investigators allege that the 22-year-old suspect acted as the "rider" who picked up the victim from a social gathering under the guise of taking her home, but instead transported her to the secluded plantation where the 26-year-old accomplice was waiting.

"Prior to that incident, ka-angkas ng suspek natin yung victim, talagang pinagplanuhan ng dalawa at para ma-satisfy sila doon sa kanilang intention," Colonel Cadungon stated.

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Despite the arrests, both suspects have maintained their innocence. However, police noted that one of the men has unexplained scratches and bruises on his body, injuries that authorities believe could be defensive marks from the victim.

“So far, normally nag-deny [yung suspek]. Siyempre mag-depende talaga sa mga information na ibinibigay ng mga credible witnesses natin. In fact, meron pa nga diyan pina-medical natin isa sa possible result sa medical may bruises na hindi nila ma-explain saan nanggaling. So matugma tugma natin,” Cadungon added.

While the family suspects sexu@l assault due to the state of the victim's clothing when she was found, a formal h0micide charge has been filed initially.

Law enforcement officials are currently awaiting the final autopsy results to determine if a r@pe-slay charge is warranted.

The community remains on high alert as the family hopes for the identification of any other accomplices who may have played a role in the tragedy.

It can be recalled that the 15-year-old girl was found deceased and partially unclothed within a pineapple plantation in Polomolok, South Cotabato, on Friday, January 16, 2026. Forensics experts gathered vital clues from the crime scene, including a jersey allegedly belonging to a suspect and the victim's personal lip tint. Two men are currently being interrogated by Polomolok police, including one individual observed with the victim on Wednesday and another bearing unexplained defensive-style wounds. A comprehensive autopsy is currently underway to determine the exact cause of death and to establish whether the teenager was a victim of sexu@l assault.

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Source: KAMI.com.gh