Bukidnon trekker remains missing after week-long search
A 31-year-old hiker named Alkharj Gomez Zamayla has gone missing during a climb on Mt. Kalatungan, the fifth-highest mountain in the Philippines. Despite efforts involving 127 volunteers, soldiers, police officers, drones, and K9 units, no trace of Zamayla has been found. The search has continued for over a week, with the only clue being a piece of toilet paper found along a trail, though it has not been confirmed to belong to Zamayla. Zamayla, an industrial safety officer for a local construction company, became separated from a group of hikers on June 12.
Alkharj Gomez Zamayla, 31, was reportedly last seen on June 12, 2026, while traversing the Mt. Kalatungan mountain range in Bukidnon. Photo courtesy of his sister, Shola Zamayla-Bias
PANGANTUCAN, Bukidnon — Police and volunteer mountaineers have intensified their search and rescue operation for a 31-year-old hiker, who was reported missing on Mt. Kalatungan after joining a mountain climb on June 11.The missing hiker from Valencia City, Bukidnon, was identified as Alkharj Gomez Zamayla, who was last seen on June 12 while traversing the mountain range.
READ: 2 stranded hikers rescued in Zambales mountains According to his family, Zamayla was spotted asking two fellow hikers for water on Mt. Kalatungan before he went missing.Lt. Eder Oliveros, deputy chief of the Pangantucan Municipal Police Station, said authorities are conducting an investigation and coordinating with organizers of the “Freedom Climb – Mt. Kilakiron Traverse to Mt. Kalatungan,” which reportedly drew around 60 participants.Oliveros said initial inquiries indicate that Zamayla’s name was allegedly not included in the official list of climbers submitted for tourism permits required for organized mountain expeditions.His disappearance was reported to authorities on June 14, prompting search and rescue efforts involving local guides, volunteer mountaineers, and police personnel.According to Zamayla’s fiancée, Bless Joy Porras, the missing hiker was accompanied by a friend and a local guide during the climb.She said he was not a professional mountaineer but occasionally joined hiking activities.The Mt. Kalatungan climb was reportedly his first attempt to summit the country’s fifth-highest mountain, which rises about 2,880 meters above sea level.Police said about 30 local climbers and guides have joined the search operation in the rugged mountain terrain.Authorities appealed to the public, particularly hikers and residents who may have seen Zamayla on or after June 12, to immediately report any information that could help locate the missing hiker./coa
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
A 31-year-old hiker named Alkharj Gomez Zamayla has gone missing during a climb on Mt. Kalatungan, the fifth-highest mountain in the Philippines. Despite efforts involving 127 volunteers, soldiers, police officers, drones, and K9 units, no trace of Zamayla has been found. The search has continued for over a week, with the only clue being a piece of toilet paper found along a trail, though it has not been confirmed to belong to Zamayla. Zamayla, an industrial safety officer for a local construction company, became separated from a group of hikers on June 12.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a missing hiker incident without taking a stance or showing bias toward any political entity, ideology, or party. It provides factual details about the search efforts and does not include any editorialized language or biased framing.
Official sources cited
government Barangay Kagawad Emelia Guina
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenter6 days ago
Police and volunteer mountaineers are searching for Alkharj Gomez Zamayla, a 31-year-old hiker who went missing on Mt. Kalatungan in Bukidnon. Zamayla was last seen on June 12 during a mountain climb. His family reported that he asked two fellow hikers for water before disappearing. Authorities are investigating whether Zamayla's name was omitted from the official list of climbers for the expedition. The search involves local guides, volunteers, and police.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a missing hiker incident without taking a stance or showing bias toward any political group, ideology, or policy. It focuses on factual details of the event, including the timeline, individuals involved, and ongoing search efforts. There is no indication of loaded language, oм
Official sources cited
government Pangantucan Municipal Police Station
Go to the primary sources (2)
The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.
PH