An abandoned baby was rescued after being sealed inside a sack and allegedly dumped by its depressed mother at a cemetery in the Philippines.

The infant was heard wailing among the graves by villagers passing by the cemetery in Cataingan town, Masbate province, on April 26.

Alarmed as the child wouldn't stop crying, they walked through the maze of tombs and discovered a sack tucked away next to a concrete box. The sack had been bound at its opening, with no air flowing inside.

The residents opened the container and pulled out the hapless baby girl wrapped in a bundle of blue cloth. They reported the discovery to local officials, who rushed the baby to a hospital and launched a search for its parents.

Eden Lalaguna, Cataingan Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, said: 'We brought the child to the Rural Health Unit for proper vaccination. The doctors gave her a check-up and also made a prescription for milk and other needs.'

Police soon tracked down the negligent parents to the village of Bagumbayan in the same town. The couple, who were not named, allegedly admitted to dumping the baby at the cemetery.

Eden added: 'According to the husband, he wanted to take responsibility and care for the child. It was the mother who didn't want it. She allegedly had depression and decided she didn't want to see the baby at all.'

The local social welfare office said investigations are ongoing and that they are considering filing charges against the couple.

Meanwhile, the baby girl, who has been named 'Blessy' is now safe and under the care of a foster parent.