Missing Tour Guide In Sagada Found Dead By Rescuers Inside Victoria Cave In Ankileng

The lifeless body of a 23-year-old local tourist guide in Sagada was finally found by rescuers nearly two days after he was swept away by rushing waters inside a still-being-explored cave in said town. The young man has been identified as Roderick Malecdan. According to the Mountain Province Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Malecdan was spotted sandwiched between rocks in a submerged portion of the cave.

Members of the Philippine Navy sent by the Office of Civil Defense Cordillera were tasked in extracting the body from inside the cave.

Based on reports coming from the town, Malecdan, five other guides, and a lady friend entered Victoria Cave to explore it since it's being eyed as an additional tourist attraction. They entered the cave between 9:30 and 10:00 am on Sunday. An early downpour caused the water levels inside the cave to rise quickly. Except for Malecdan, everyone either made it out alive or were rescued by responders.

Rescuers heading towards the entrance of Victoria Cave. Image credit: DRRMO - Mt. Province

All caves in the town were immediately closed by the local government unit on Monday so that search and rescue teams can more efficiently scour the area for the missing guide.

According to the authorities, the Sagada Tourism Office wasn't aware of the group's expedition inside Victoria Cave.