Residents of a farming village in Bayambang, Pangasinan found a newborn baby buried under dried leaves in a cornfield.

The infant girl was still alive when residents pulled her out of the shallow grave in Barangay Sanlibo, but she died later in the hospital, authorities said.

A farmer first noticed blood stains on a portion of his land. Alarmed, he informed other residents and barangay officials.

“Ngayon, may nakita silang blood doon sa portion na lupa sa may maisan. Siyempre, nagtaká at naalarma ‘yung may-ari,” Luzviminda Tamondong, chairperson of Barangay Sanlibo, said.

Residents followed the trail of blood until they reached a mango tree.

“May napansin sila na unusual na ‘yung naipon na tuyong dahon ng mangga kaya ‘yun ang tiningnan nila,” Tamondong said.

Using a stick, they moved the dried leaves and saw a small foot.

“Ibig sabihin, bata. Tapos may narinig sila na parang umiiyak… Na-aware sila na tingnan ‘yun at doon nga nakita nila bata,” she said.

A resident identified as Danny Seguin pulled the baby out of the soil.

“Noong binuhat ko, tinanggal ko ‘yung mga lupa sa ilong niya, bibig niya. Saka ko pinatakbo sa ospital,” Seguin said.

The baby’s mouth and nose were filled with soil, and her lips had already turned dark, residents said. She was rushed to the hospital but later died.

Villagers lit candles and offered prayers at the site where the infant was found.

Authorities have identified and taken custody of the baby’s mother who is yet to release a statement as of press time.