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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider 2 mountain trekkers rescued from rampaging waterfall in Cebu City

2 mountain trekkers rescued from rampaging waterfall in Cebu City

Published Jul 14, 2025 07:33 pm
TWO mountain trekkers stranded in Budlaan Falls in Barangay Budlaan, Cebu City were rescued on Saturday, July 12.(Photo from BFP-7 Special Rescue Force)
TWO mountain trekkers stranded in Budlaan Falls in Barangay Budlaan, Cebu City were rescued on Saturday, July 12.(Photo from BFP-7 Special Rescue Force)



CEBU CITY — Two mountain trekkers were rescued while their companion died after they were stranded in Budlaan Falls in Barangay Budlaan here on Saturday night, July 12.
Personnel from the Special Rescue Force of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Central Visayas (BFP-7) launched what authorities described a “high-risk rescue operation” after learning about three trekkers in distress through a 911 call.
The call for help was received at 5:50 p.m. and the successful rescue operation was completed at 9:30 p.m., said Fire Officer 1 Cheska Jem Embudo of the special rescue unit.
The fatality was identified as Gerson Lacre Caballes, a 21-year-old call center agent from Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.
One of the rescued trekkers was Maria Fatima Eden, a 21-year-old resident of Barangay Catarman, Cordova, Cebu. 
Embudo said that heavy rains fell while they were trekking in Budlaan Falls.
The water went up that prevented them from crossing to the other side of the river.
The trekkers stayed on top of boulders as they waited for the water to subside. In an attempt to cross to the other side, Caballes jumped but lost her balance and fell into the rampaging river.
Caballes said the victim may have lost her balance because of the backpack she was carrying when she jumped.
The victim was carried away by the strong current. Her body was recovered a few meters away from the falls.

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