A 37-year-old female climber sustained injuries when the rock she was trying to sit on gave way following a trek at Mt. Apo.

The incident happened at what is known as the white sand area at the mountain. Authorities estimated that the climber fell about 30 meters down.

Rescuers carried the victim down the mountain on a stretcher. The descent continued into the night due to the difficult terrain.

The victim is now in stable condition.

The climber was identified as a resident of Quezon City and was visiting Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. She climbed Mt. Apo via the Digos Trail, one of the routes that leads to the country’s highest peak.

The climber said she went on the rock reportedly upon the suggestion of personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) so she could take a photo with a good background.

The DENR personnel were also the ones who showed her and her companions where to find wild berries.

“Ang sabi niya sa amin picture-ran ko kayo dalawa kayo para ito kita ang white sand yung parang sulfur, nagpa-picture po kami. Nong natapos na ang friend ko sabi niya picture-ran ko kayong dalawa. Ang sabi ng DENR (personnel) don ka po umupo sa nakausling bato para magkatabi kami ng friend ko. Doon po kasi sa unang position ko ng upuan wala po ako sa batohan non parang nag squat pag-upo ko po doon yun na po,” the woman said.

“But unfortunately, hindi pala matibay yung bato na iyon kaya pagka-upo ko is bumigay yung bato. Ang pagkakamali ko lang is napirmi ako kay kuya dahil taga-DENR siya at alam niya yung mga bato na pwedeng patungan o hindi,” she added.

She also said that in all her years of hiking, it was the first time something like this happened to her. It was supposed to be a birthday hike, but it turned into an unforgettable experience for a different reason.

“Sana i-briefing pa nila na gmga tauhan nila nai-assign nila doon sa area, makikinig naman po kami magpi-picture lang naman po kami sa parang sign board di kami magpi-picture sa mga gilid ng bato yun lang po sana para hindi po mangyari yong ganito what if po yong tao is namatay ano po ang magiging aksyon nila,” the woman said.

CDRRMO reminded hikers to prioritize safety while trekking on Mt. Apo, especially those unfamiliar with the terrain. They also emphasized the importance of following safety guidelines and avoiding restricted or dangerous areas.

“Kung di pa sila familiar sa terrain ang paramount nga mindset ang atong ginabuhat di ta magpadala sa view nga nindot kaayo magpataka na lang ta og adto bisan asa naa gyud nay restriction pud nga mga area,” CDRRMO Head, John Basil Sevilla, said.

Mt. Apo will remain closed to the public from June to August as part of its annual conservation and rehabilitation period.