Search continues for missing tourist in Sagada cave

MANILA, Philippines - The search for the local tourist who went missing inside Sumaging Cave in Sagada, Mountain Province continues for the 11th day, the local civil defense office said Thursday.

Jojo Valera, operations chief of the local Office of Civil Defense, said their rescue teams and villagers continued the search for missing victim Eufrosinia Irene Manaois, a native of Dagupan City.

Manaois was among the 30 local and foreign tourists who got trapped in the cave at the height of tropical storm "Maring." She was reported trapped last August 18.

All of Manaois' companions, including 13 Japanese tourists, have been rescued by local tourist guides and villagers.

At least 25 people have been confirmed killed due to the storm-enhanced southwest monsoon.

The Department of Tourism has asked all local government units in Cordillera to make sure that local and foreign tourists are safe during bad weather.

Manaois and the other tourists were allowed to enter the Sumaging Cave last August 18. As the storm-enhanced southwest monsoon pounded the region with heavy rains, water inside the cave suddenly rose and trapped the tourists.

Valera said that they will continue the search efforts for Manaois until she is found.