Two more bodies of four men trapped inside a cave in Kadingilan, Bukidnon were retrieved on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, two days after they entered the cave reportedly to look for treasures.

Efforts to find one more body continue, as of this writing. Responders retrieved one body from the cave on March 11.

The four are among the eight men who went into the cave on March 10. Four others survived what was later found to be carbon monoxide poisoning.

Citing the survivors’ accounts, police said the treasure hunters struck something in the cave that emitted thick smoke.

“Nag-produce ito ng maraming smoke and that’s the time na parang na-suffocate na sila,” Police Regional Office-10 Spokesperson, Major Joann Navarro, said.

Authorities are investigating whether or not the activity had permission.

“Nananawagan po tayo sa ating mamamayan na i-report ang any illegal activities like this na nag-treasure hunting po tayo na walang permit. Kasi aside sa nakaka-endanger ito ng buhay ng mga taong nag-engage ng treasure hunting at nakakasira rin ito sa ating kalikasan,” Navarro said.

The wife of one of the victims advised those who wish to earn a lot of money to do something else that do not put their lives at risk.

“Mangandoy man galing nga mangadato magpatulo na lang og singot dili na lang mangandoy sa mga ingon ana nga mga butang para walay madisgrasya sama aning nahitabo sa akong bana karon,” she said.