Missing Cavite hiker rescued on Mt. Marami

SAN PEDRO CITY — A male hiker was rescued on Mt. Marami in Maragondon, Cavite, four days after he was reported missing.

Alex Lagata, 24, a resident of Bacoor City in Cavite, was found in an abandoned hut on the mountain trail before noon on Wednesday, said Senior Insp. Jay Caparas, Maragondon police chief.

He incurred some wounds from days of trekking and was almost starved as he ran out of food provisions.

“He is now being carried down on a horse,” said Caparas, who was interviewed on the phone on their way down after an eight-hour search on Wednesday.

Caparas said Lagata climbed the mountain alone on Saturday evening to catch up with a group of other hikers, who went ahead of him.

Lagata, however, lost his way and was never able to meet with his group. The other hikers reported him missing on Monday, prompting the search and rescue operation.

The 405-meter Mt. Marami is one of the favorite hiking trails in Maragondon. Although it is relatively neither too high nor difficult, it is known for its “confusing” trails, according to the hiking website Pinoy Mountaineer.

Last year, eight hikers were also rescued from Mt. Marami after they lost their way on the trail.