Mountaineers go missing in Misor, find their way back to safety

By FROILAN GALLARDO
Special Correspondent

THREE missing mountaineers walked to safety through a lush moss-covered forest on Tuesday after spending three days lost on the 8,040-foot Mt. Balatukan in Misamis Oriental.

Capitol spokesman Florito “Carlo” Dugaduga said the three mountaineers were part of a 10-person team from Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, who scaled Mt. Balatukan Friday.

Lt. Col Roy Derilo, commander of Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion, identified the mountaineers as Raine Kassiopeia Fama, 12; Dan Dave del Rosario, 18; and Christian Daryl Tapiru, 28. All are from Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.

Derilo said the mountaineers had gone missing for two days, with their last known location traced at the Scout Camp in Sitio Civolig, in Barangay Lunotan, Gingoog City, which is a part of Mt. Balatucan.

Derilo blamed the bad weather. He said the three missed the route plan because of the heavy rain and the fog in the area on Sunday afternoon.

“Along the way, the three hikers got separated from their team due to the foggy trail conditions,” Dugaduga said.

He said the mountaineers wandered dangerously in the 8,423-hectare Mt. Balatucan unable to get their bearings or getting a mobile phone signal.

Dugaduga said on Tuesday morning, the hikers met a villager who guided them to an area where there was mobile phone signal available.

He said the hikers then called their relatives who informed the Misamis Oriental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management office.

Dugaduga said Misamis Oriental DRRM officer Fernando Vincent Dy Jr. immediately deployed a team to help the mountaineers.

Derilo however said Army soldiers, together with Claveria Mountaineers group, found the three around 10 am on the Claveria side of the mountain after they have found their way. They were assisted by groups sent by Gingoog and Misamis Oriental governments. But Derilo said the team was formed by Gingoog Mayor Erick Canosa and the Army’s 58th IB.

Dugaduga said the mountaineers were later brought to the Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital in Claveria town for treatment. Derilo said the mountaineers were sent to the hospital for checkup and stress debriefing before they were reunited with their families late Tuesday afternoon.

Derilo said the last time the mountaineers had eaten was on Sunday, the same day their relatives reported to the Gingoog City police station that they went missing.

Nicole Managbanag, Gingoog information officer, said the 12-year-old girl was already dehydrated when they were met by Mayor Cañosa. (with reports from PNA and Edwin Iyo)