17-year-old student found dead with no undergarments, her face skinned to the bone and possibly gang-raped (Graphic Photo)

A 17-year-old grade 9 student was found dead with no undergarments and her face skinned to the bone in a vacant lot earlier on Monday in Barangay (Village) Bangkal, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines.

Authorities identified the victim as Christine Silawan, a resident of Sirio Soong I in Barangay (Village) Mactan, Lapu-Lapu, The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

Police Colonel Lemuel Obon, Lapu-Lapu City police director, said the victim was last seen with three men before she was found dead by passersby.

“We have witnesses who said three men were seen with the victim. We are now tracing their whereabouts,” Obon said.

Homicide investigators of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office told Sunstar that Silawan was last seen at 4 pm on Sunday.

The victim’s unidentified mother told police that her daughter was heading to church when the incident happened. She started to worry when her daughter was still not home by 7 pm last night.

Silawan worked for the Sacred Heart Parish in Barangay (Village) Pajac as a church collector, Sunstar reported.

Obon said it was possible that the victim was raped but they will have the body examined by the medico-legal officer to get official findings.

Obon added that it was also possible that the culprits were high on illegal drugs.