CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines—Police say rape is possible in the case of a nine-year-old girl who was found beheaded and half-naked in a grassy area in Paete, Laguna, last Friday.

Marisol Garcia was last seen after she left her school in Barangay (village) Ibaba del Norte on Thursday morning, Senior Inspector Joberman Videz, Paete police chief, said over the phone.

Her remains were recovered at around 3 p.m. on Friday after another kid found the head in a grassy area, also in the village. The victim’s body was found 50 meters away from the head.

Videz said the head was slightly skinned, likening it to “a coconut with the outer skin peeled off.”

The girl, who wore civilian clothes in school, was half-naked when found, prompting authorities to suspect that she was also raped.

But “we are still waiting for the results of the autopsy to confirm that,” Videz said.

He said the victim sustained two stab wounds in the heart and one in the liver.

Police said they have identified suspects in the grisly murder but refused to give further details as this might affect the investigation.

He surmised that Garcia’s attackers could be more than one person.

He said the murder weapon could be similar to a bolo normally used in farming.

Paete is a sleepy agricultural town in Laguna, also known for its wood-carving industry.

“This was the first time we had such gruesome crime here,” Videz added.

Early this month, three children were hacked to death inside their home in Alaminos town, also in Laguna. The victims’ uncle later surrendered to the police.