SAGADA, Mountain Province – The 14-day intensive search for 17-year-old Sofia Isabela Magalgalit Oria ended Saturday without finding the missing teenager, but municipal authorities vowed to continue to look for the victim.

Police said the Incident Command Post (ICP) for the search operation in Barangay Dagdag was closed on Aug. 22 after serving as the operational center of the search for two weeks. However, the municipal Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains active to coordinate succeeding search efforts and provide support to responders and volunteers.

Authorities said the search covered an estimated 1,599.98 hectares, with 89 responders and volunteers organized into 17 teams during the final day. Search-and-rescue dogs Ninong, Rocky and Jake, along with their handlers, were also deployed to difficult terrain in Kanipawan, Kiltepan and Tatayaen.

The operation involved police, firefighters, soldiers, disaster-response teams, local volunteers and residents, with support from neighboring municipalities and provinces.

The search also extended beyond Mountain Province. In Kalinga, Gov. James Edduba ordered a river watch along the Chico River in support of the operation. In Pasil, local responders, the municipal disaster office, the Bureau of Fire Protection and police monitored portions of the river for possible signs or information that could help locate Sofia.

Other communities and groups provided assistance through river and waterway monitoring, food, transportation, equipment, communications, logistics and financial support.

Sagada officials said residents and volunteers who wish to continue searching may coordinate with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for proper deployment. The public was also urged to report credible information or possible sightings through appropriate channels.

Sofia’s family thanked the responders, volunteers, donors, government agencies and communities who supported the search, saying their hope for her safe return remains.

“Although the search may have changed, our hope remains,” the family said. “Sofia, we are still waiting for you.”