January 16, 2026 – Polomolok, South Cotabato. The lifeless body of a 15-year-old girl who had been missing for two days was discovered in the middle of a pineapple plantation in Barangay Maligo, Polomolok, South Cotabato. The victim, known by the alias “Shaina,” was last seen on January 13 after telling relatives she was going to swim at a nearby pool while her mother, Mary Joy Mahinay, was at work.

On the morning of January 15, a plantation worker found the teenager’s body partially covered and without her lower clothing, raising suspicions that she may have been sexually assaulted before being killed and dumped in the area. Police investigators immediately cordoned off the site as they began gathering evidence to determine the cause of death and identify possible suspects.

Mahinay, a harvester and resident of Purok 5 Dam in Barangay Landan, said her daughter often went out at night despite her warnings, but she never imagined such a tragedy would occur. “Hindi ko inakala na hahantong sa ganitong trahedya ang sinapit ng anak ko,” she said tearfully.

The victim’s family has appealed to those responsible to surrender to authorities and not evade accountability. They are calling for swift justice for the crime committed against the young girl.

Police in Polomolok confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with forensic teams examining the crime scene and interviewing witnesses. Authorities have vowed to pursue all leads to ensure justice is served.

The case has shocked the local community, highlighting the vulnerability of minors and the urgent need for vigilance and protection. Residents have joined the family in demanding justice and stronger measures to prevent similar crimes in the future.

Protection Cannot Begin After Death

A 15-year-old girl was missing for two days before her body was found in a plantation in South Cotabato. The shock is real, the grief undeniable, and the calls for justice loud.

But outrage that arrives after death is already too late. Protection that begins with candles and statements has failed its purpose.

Prevention lives in supervision, early reporting, safe spaces, and communities that act before harm escalates. It demands systems that treat missing children as emergencies, not routines. Families should never carry this burden alone.

Justice must be swift, but accountability must be earlier. If protection starts only after bodies are found, what exactly are institutions protecting? And who answers when warnings go unheard again and again here today?

Photos courtesy of Top Gun Radio Koronadal