Search continues for missing 17-year-old in Sagada

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Search, rescue and retrieval operations continued Tuesday for 17-year-old Sophia Magalgalit Oria of Barangay Demang, Sagada, Mountain Province, who was reported missing at around 1 a.m. on Aug. 9.

The search operation has involved personnel from the Sagada Municipal Police Station, the Mountain Province Police Provincial Office and other responders.

On Monday, Aug. 10, a total of 17 teams composed of 106 personnel were mobilized to search several areas in Sagada, according to the Municipality of Sagada. However, the teams were ordered to pull out because of inclement weather conditions to ensure their safety.

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The search was augmented Tuesday by a six-member response team from the provincial government of Mountain Province, which joined responders on the ground in the continuing effort to locate Oria.

The Mountain Province Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said the team is actively participating in the ongoing search operations despite the challenging conditions.

The provincial government, under Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr., continues to support the responders involved in the search.

As of Tuesday, Aug. 11, authorities have not announced that Oria has been found, and search operations remain ongoing. —MAUREEN MATAYEW/CONTRIBUTOR