A missing Slovakian tourist was found murdered in an abandoned chapel in the Philippines.

Michaela Mickova, 23, flew to the popular tourist island of Boracay on March 1 to attend her Filipina friend Rosel Tobias's wedding in Aklan province.

She remained in the country for around two weeks to enjoy her tropical vacation. However, she was said to have been raped and murdered just days before her flight out of the country on March 12.

A local named Johnyl Mariano, 26, found Michaela's corpse while walking past the abandoned Pearl of the Pacific resort chapel on his way home.

He claimed he ventured into the ruins after smelling something foul - only to find the woman's decaying cadaver inside. He reported the gruesome discovery to the local police.

Officers arrived at the scene nestled in a dense forest away from the island's more popular tourist areas. The dilapidated chapel, left to rot after the pandemic, was overgrown with vegetation, its grime-streaked walls defaced with black and red graffiti.

Michaela's body was found lying face-up 'with her legs spread apart' in one of the rooms. She had a stab wound to her abdomen and was naked from the waist down. She was also wearing a beltbag that had been emptied out.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Mar Joseph Ravelo, chief of the Malay Municipality Police Station, said: 'She was reported missing by her friend, who was also a tourist to Boracay. She couldn't be contacted anymore. They last met on March 10. She was due to leave on March 12, but she has been unreachable since March 11.

'In one of the CCTV videos, she appeared to have gone there to the area by herself. There's a possiblity that she was meeting someone there. That kind of place is abandoned and it's not somewhere tourists would just visit.'

Police citing hotel staff said Michaela, before going missing, had frequently left her room to explore the idyllic haven known for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters.

Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of the regional police, said authorities 'will leave no stone unturned' to investigate the case.

He added: 'It is our foremost priority and goal to deliver justice to the family and loved ones of Michaela Mickova – a beloved daughter, a friend to many, and a young woman who had a passion for life. We further assure everyone that Boracay Island remains a safe and secure destination, with law enforcement authorities committed to maintaining peace and order.'

Officials said Michaela's family and the Slovakian Embassy have been informed of her passing. She will undergo a post-mortem exam to find the cause of her death.

The incident comes two months after a teenage girl was reportedly raped and dumped in a creek in the same province.

Boracay is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, known for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and bustling nightlife.