Natonin hunter still missing despite search

NATONIN, Mountain Province – A man who went hunting with two companions is still missing despite search missions by around 100 volunteers.

The missing person was identified as Rogelio Basilan, Jr.,32 m married with three kids of this town.

He reportedly joined his brother-in-law and another town-mate in going to Mount Mapesa to hunt on Dec. 16.

The next day, his two companions found out he was missing when they were supposed to return home.

His family and friends scoured the forest to look for him but they were not able to find him except his boots, his bolo and his rifle.

On Dec. 20, Rogelio's brother, Insp. Rommel Basilan with volunteers from Natoinin and Paracelis returned to search for him.

The group scoured the forests starting from Natonin to Lias, Barlig, to Betwagan in Sadanga and Basao in Tinglayan where more volunteers from the surrounding municipalities helped.

In an interview with Insp. Basilan, he said they temporarily stopped the search to give way for the coming of the new year.

He said it will also be a chance for them to talk with the elders in Natonin so that they can perform certain rituals to appease the gods so they would know what happened to the missing Basilan.

Volunteers were met in Bontoc by Vice Gov, Louis F. Claver, Jr. who provided the meal for the volunteers, provincial police chief Albas and Mayor Anna Marie Banaag of Natonin.