Here are photos of the retrieval operations conducted by personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection – Special Rescue Force (BFP-SRF) Region 10 led by Fire Sr Inspector Sam Laurence M Velarde and members of Oro Rescue 911 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) involving an adult male victim who fell into a cave with an estimated depth of 200 feet at Sitio Langag, Dansolihon, Cagayan de Oro City. Reports revealed that the 42-year old victim was already dead when found by the rescue team. He was reportedly gathering bird saliva prior to his fall.
The victim was identified as Efren Pulingda and was gathering bird saliva, a popular delicacy and served in high-end restaurants as bird’s nest. The incident occurred last Sunday, February 26 but the call for assistance was only made on Monday. The retrieval team took four hours to reach the site and the victim. Based on his radio interview, SFI Velarde is suggesting to the barangay to prohibit entry into the cave at the moment due to its high risks and the small opening which can only fit one person at a time and descends into the cave..
all photos by BFP SRF R-10, CDRRMO-Oro Rescue
Watch this interview below by Bombo Radyo CDO.
It can be recalled that in December last year, Congressman Rufus B Rodriguez led a team in inspecting Langag Cave which he proposed to be declared as an ecotourism site thru House Bill No. 2451.
Langag Cave is a through cave, with 2 portals. The entrance portal is a 5-meter descending pathway, meanwhile the exit portal is a 5-meter ascending path with a good view of the Cagayan de Oro River.
Inside the cave are developing stalactites, and some areas of the cave require explorers to squeeze between tight passages.
Currently, the location of the cave is accessible through a cemented access road. However, the path going to the entrance portal is a muddy-sloping terrain.
Cong. Rufus plans to develop the pathway to the entrance portal to improve access to the cave, as well as create a deck on the outside of the exit portal to give future tourists a vantage point of the Cagayan de Oro River.
with photos by Rufus B Rodriguez FB page
