A mentally-ill woman has been locked in a cage without leaving for 25 YEARS by her neighbours in the Philippines.
Horrified visitor Jedah Curacha Naquines was hiking through the remote village in Cebu province when she noticed the emaciated woman on August 25.
At first, Jedah thought she was just trapped, but later realised that she suffers from a mental illness as she appeared to be talking to herself while staring on the wall.
Shockingly, locals told Jedah that they had kept the woman - known only as 'Manol' - locked up for 25 years after her mother died and father left.
Because of her mental state, they were afraid she would have an accident and believed they were doing the best for her by keeping her away from danger.
Hearing the appalling story, Jedah jogged to the neighbouring village and pleaded for help for the painfully-thin woman.
She said: "I wanted to know why she was put inside a cage like an animal.
Even if she doesn't seem to understand what is happening around her, she does not deserve that life." Jedah spoke to locals and was told that the woman had been living inside the cage for at least 25 years.
The distressed woman, estimated to be 45-years-old, is called 'Manol' by neighbours although they do now know her real name.
Jedah also discovered that the woman had been living alone after her mother died and her step father moved to another country for work.
Manol was left alone and often roamed the neighbourhood.
She was almost knocked over by a passing truck so concerned neighbours pooled their money together to build a small cage for her from cement with a metal gate.
It is attached to the side of the house she used to live in with her parents.
The neighbours also take turns giving her food so she never has to leave the cage.
Shocked to hear the story of the woman, Jedah said: "I hope someone helps her because her situation is very bad.
The local officials should do something.
She needs medical attention.
''Seeing her like that was heartbreaking.'' Jedah is now coordinating with the government officials in the area to improve the condition of the woman and has asked her own friends to find help for Manol.