Climber dies in Davao's 'enchanted' Mt. Apo lake

A mountain climber died while swimming at a lake just below the peak of majestic Mt. Apo in Davao last Maundy Thursday. Sun Star Davao reported on Sunday that Southern Mindanao police regional director Chief Supt. Andres Caro II identified the victim as Ian Caasi of Davao City. It was not the first incident that Mt. Apo claimed the life of a mountain climber. In the past, a number of climbers also died of drowning in Lake Venado, which many believe is enchanted. Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak and often visited during the Holy Week, is located in North Cotabato but can be accessed through the mountain trails of Kapatagan in Davao del Sur, Calinan in Davao City and the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) Geothermal Plant in Kidapawan City. Caro said Caasi was a member of the Mindanao Alliance Mountaineering Club (Malmoc), and drowned while swimming Thursday night. He cited initial reports that Caasi and other club members arrived at Lake Venado at about 4:30 p.m. of April 5 and immediately took a dip at the famous lake. A few minutes later, Caasi’s friend claimed seeing the victim asking for help before drowning. Several mountain climbers in the area tried to rescue Caasi but failed because of the severe cold temperature of the lake’s water and the enveloping darkness. The Sun-Star report said Caasi’s body was still not recovered as of last Friday. It said the Philippine Air Force deployed rescue helicopters to Mt. Apo along with five rescue personnel. Eight rescuers from the office of Civil Defense 12 were also in the area. Rescuers reportedly stopped the retrieval operation Friday afternoon due to the cold water temperature and the lack of needed equipment. Moises Sernal, PNOC security officer, said the rescue team decided to just wait for the body to float for it to be retrieved. It was learned that the lake’s depth is just about 20 feet. For his part, Kidapawan City police director Chief Inspector Leo Ajero assured the security and safety of the other mountain climbers now in Mt. Apo. Ajero said they have already deployed additional police personnel in the area for control. - GMANews.TV