ONE DEAD, THREE RESCUED FROM BUDLAAN FALLS
July 14, 2025
Three individuals stranded in the Mukpok area and Budlaan Falls were successfully rescued during a high-risk operation launched by the Special Rescue Force of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-7), in coordination with the BFP Cebu City Emergency Medical Services, at around 9:30 p.m. on July 12, 2025.
Two of the rescued individuals, aged 19 and 21, had agreed to go trekking in the mountains. However, one was later found lifeless after being swept away by floodwaters in Sitio Baugo, Barangay Budlaan, a mountainous part of Cebu City.
According to Fire Officer 1 Cheska Jem Embudo of the BFP-7 Special Rescue Force, they received a 911 call at 5:50 p.m. reporting stranded individuals in Budlaan.
They immediately responded along with BFP-7 rescue personnel but reached the site only by nighttime, as the location was inaccessible to their large rescue vehicle. They had to transfer to a smaller vehicle to get to the area where the two men and one woman were trapped while trekking.
The fatality was identified as Gerson Lacre Caballes, 21 years old, a resident of Purok 8, Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City, and a call center agent.
Embudo revealed that Caballes had gone trekking with his friend Ma. Fatima Eden, 21, from Barangay Catarman, Cordova town. According to Eden’s account to BFP personnel, when the river suddenly swelled due to heavy rain in the mountains, Caballes attempted to jump across the river while still carrying his backpack.
Unfortunately, he fell into the river and was swept away by the strong current. Since he was still holding his bag, there was a high chance he was dragged underwater, causing him to drown.
Eden was successfully brought across the river by rescuers who set up a rope and helped her cross safely.
Due to this incident, BFP-7 is urging trekking enthusiasts to always hire a local guide and inform the barangays they will pass through, so they can be quickly assisted in case of an emergency.
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