By Shaina Bea Ybanez and Kassandra Balcurza
PANGANTUCAN, Bukidnon — Illegal and unregistered climbs on Mt. Kalatungan are placing rescuers, particularly indigenous responders, at greater risk as authorities struggle to monitor hikers entering the protected mountain through unauthorized routes.
The concern resurfaced following the June 23 suspension of the 11-day search for missing trekker Alkharj Gomez Zamayla, whose disappearance highlighted the challenges faced by rescuers when climbers bypass official registration systems.
Local authorities and indigenous leaders warned that so-called "backdoor" trails allow hikers to evade checkpoints, avoid paying fees, and enter hazardous areas without leaving records of their routes, itineraries, or emergency contacts.
Officials said these unregistered visitors effectively become "ghost hikers," forcing rescuers to comb vast forested areas with little information when accidents or disappearances occur.
Mt. Kalatungan, which rises 2,824 meters above sea level, is part of a protected landscape, but its rugged terrain and multiple undocumented entry points through remote farming communities make enforcement difficult.
Authorities also noted that existing penalties for unauthorized entry remain too low to deter thrill-seekers from taking risky shortcuts.
The burden of rescue operations often falls on indigenous communities living around the mountain.
Traditional Talaandig and Manobo leaders mobilize their pagalad, or tribal boundary caretakers, and bagani, or peacekeepers, to assist search teams navigating remote sections of the mountain range.
Local leaders said repeated incidents involving illegal climbers stretch already limited manpower and resources, while exposing indigenous responders themselves to danger during prolonged rescue missions.
The concerns gained renewed attention after search teams officially ended operations for Zamayla on June 23 after finding no significant leads despite deploying Army Special Forces K9 units, thermal drones, volunteer mountaineers, and local guides.
Although the search has been suspended, Pangantucan police said they will continue monitoring the case for any developments, while Zamayla's family has vowed to keep searching and appealed for public assistance in locating the missing trekker.
