BY: VANESSA BUGTONG
A 45-year-old man died after falling into a 200-meter deep ravine in Mt. Santo Tomas in Tuba, Benguet.
Authorities said the victim was reportedly taking a photo on a large rock when he lost his balance and fell into the cliff located in Sitio Cabuyao, Barangay Poblacion, Tuba.
The incident happened past 4:00 PM on Sunday, May 18.
“He went to a spot called ‘Biyak na Bato’ with his children just to sightsee and take photos. The place gives a wide view of Tuba and even parts of Baguio,” said PCpl. Jerson Garcia, investigator from the Tuba Municipal Police Station.
Initial investigation revealed that the man was with his two children when he climbed onto a large rock to pose for a photo.
He lost his footing and slipped.
“He lost his balance, that’s why he fell,” Garcia explained. “The injuries were really serious, he hit his head and sustained major trauma on other parts of his body.”
Police clarified that the victim was not a tourist, but a resident from a neighboring barangay in Baguio City.
Relatives mourned his sudden passing.
“We were shocked when we got the call that he was gone,” said Billy Adiwang, a relative. “It was even our aunt’s birthday that day. The area is really dangerous. At least they’ve put up some barriers now.”
It took authorities about two hours to retrieve the victim’s body from the bottom of the ravine.
“From the time we got the call at 4:25 PM, the retrieval operation was completed by 6:43 PM,” Garcia added.
As a preventive measure, police and environment officers have started restricting access to the area.
Only residents and those with a special permit are now allowed to enter the mountain.
The area remains under a Writ of Kalikasan issued by the Supreme Court in 2014.
“DENR personnel are assigned at checkpoints to monitor people entering and exiting the area,” said Garcia.
Forest Protection Officer Fabian Cuilan of CENRO-EMS also emphasized the strict implementation of environmental laws.
“The court ordered that this forest area must be protected. We don’t allow any materials to be brought in, especially with past reports of illegal logging,” Cuilan said.
