Search for missing Popcom employee in Sagada ongoing

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Two foreign divers joined the search for the missing employee of the Population Commission (PopCom) who was believed to have drowned last Aug. 17 in an underground pool in Sumaguing cave in Sagada, Mountain province.

Sagada Mayor Eduardo Latawan Sr. said Steward Gamin of Scotland and Ariel Aswell of Israel joined local divers in looking for Eufrocinia “Irene” Manaois, 49, who was carried by rampaging waters during the height of the southwest monsoon.

Manaois was among the 31 local visitors and guides trapped in the caves.

Lantawan said rescuers temporarily called off the search last Friday due to poor visibility and to give way to customary rituals conducted by the village elders for the retrieval of the missing tourist and the safety of the rescuers.

Aside from Manaois, search and rescue parties are looking for Monching Bakidan of Bontoc, Mt. Province, and Rosalino Calantay of Tubo, Benguet, who were reportedly carried by flashfloods in Chico and Damangil rivers respectively during the onslaught of Typhoon Maring.