Photo for illustrative purposes only. @irenedelapenaa_

Police confirmed Tuesday (November 1) that an 18-year-old girl who had gone missing was discovered dead on Monday in a grassy area in Pili, Camarines Sur. Residents discovered the victim at around 3 pm in Barangay Cadlan. The body was reportedly covered with sacks of soil. Irish Mae Payonga is a Grade 12 student at Naga City's Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU). Her family, who rushed to the location after hearing about the discovery, confirmed Payonga's identification. Payonga's aunt, Edna Maguigad, claimed Irish Mae traveled to the Pili Capitol Convention Area on Friday to attend a big church event. Maguigad stated that her uncle was going to fetch her at 8 pm, but they could no longer reach her by phone that night. "If you have any information on this brutal killing, please reach out to us and the authorities," she said in a Facebook post. According to Bicol police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Maria Luisa Calubaquib, they have directed the Camarines Sur police to launch an extensive investigation to locate the criminal. Since Monday evening, people have been posting condolences and demands for justice for Payonga's family on social media. The AdNU Supreme Student Government released a statement condemning the murder with the hashtag #JuticeForIrishMaePayonga. "It is dismal and outrageous that such a horrendous and violent crime occurred," the statement read. AdNU's Office of Administrative Services director, Raymund Belleza SJ, called Monday "a sad day for the community." "Our prayers for her soul and our deepest condolences and prayers to the parents, her family, and her classmates," Belleza said. Meanwhile, the school's Senior High School Student Council launched a fundraising campaign to assist with Payonga's funeral arrangements. BKM/ Expat Media
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