PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte — Authorities have shifted to a full retrieval operation after five alleged treasure hunters were trapped inside a tunnel in Barangay Upper Licanan, with two bodies already recovered and three others still unaccounted for amid dangerous conditions underground.
According to initial reports, responders were forced to transition from search and rescue to retrieval due to the victims’ condition and the extreme risks posed by the confined tunnel space. Air monitoring inside the tunnel detected the presence of hazardous gases, including ammonia and carbon monoxide, significantly complicating rescue efforts.
Recovered victims were identified as Rodolfo Maputol, 59, a resident of Tagum City, who was retrieved on April 23, and Patriarca Pepe, also 59, whose body was recovered around noon the following day.
Authorities continue to search for the remaining three individuals believed to still be inside the tunnel. They were identified as Mario Quinoquito, 39, of Purok 4, Barangay Maduao, Panabo City; Sucias Late, 75, a resident of Agusan del Sur; and Wilson Bardago, 63.
The incident occurred in Purok 5 of Barangay Upper Licanan, where the group had reportedly entered a tunnel believed to be linked to treasure hunting activities. However, the exact circumstances that led to their entrapment remain under investigation.
Rescue teams on the ground reported significant operational challenges due to the confined nature of the tunnel and the presence of toxic gases, which pose life-threatening risks to responders. Specialized equipment and strict safety protocols are being implemented to prevent further casualties.
A multi-agency response has been mobilized, involving the Bureau of Fire Protection, including its Special Rescue Force units from Davao del Norte and the Davao City Fire District, alongside the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Philippine National Police Panabo, the PNP Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit in Davao del Norte, and the 27th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army.
Despite the perilous conditions, authorities said operations will continue until all victims are accounted for.
Local officials have yet to release further details on the legality of the treasure hunting activity but emphasized the dangers of unauthorized excavation, particularly in poorly ventilated underground environments.
The incident underscores the risks associated with informal tunneling operations, especially in areas lacking proper structural support and safety measures.