Villagers at a southern Philippine community reported that a ghoul has killed their livestock.

Panicked local residents at Barangay (village) Lower Manongol in Kidapawan City, southern Philippines say that a ghoul, which takes a human form by day but turns into a blood-sucking and flesh-eating monster as darkness falls, was responsible for the killing of three goats who were seen without its inner organs, including hearts and livers.

The deaths of the goats were the second incident reported in the village in just a month. Last May, a flock of sheep owned by a state university was also killed by the "mysterious killers."

Village leader Edgar de Jesus said, "Their internal organs were also feasted on by the 'killer'."

A caretaker of the goats identified as Glenda Canete said it was not possible that a dog could have been responsible for the deaths of the animals.

She said, "Something that is bigger than the dog, or a wolf maybe, or something that has supernatural powers could be behind the killing."

Both echo the suspicion of villagers that a ghoul was responsible for the killing.

They suspect the ghoul will later target their children or people who are sick as their warn residents to take precautionary measures to stop the killer.

According to Philippine mythology, a ghoul can take the form of humans by day but transform into animals, particularly dogs, pigs or bulls when darkness falls.

Local authorities dismiss the villagers suspicion as baseless and ordered an investigation into the matter.