Finding Biki: Part 1

It's been a week since Biki was reported to be missing. Here is a basic summary of what happened:

1. Biki came from a climb in Mt Guiting-Guiting in Romblon and arrived in Batangas Pier on Sunday very early morning... As evidenced by an ATM transaction.

2. He was estimated to arrive in Cuenca at around 4 am. Since it was probably very early, he wasn't able to register. Plus, it was Easter Sunday. He left his pack at the Mountaineer Store, and can only speculate that he brought his camera bag and water with him since he will only stay for a couple of hours.

3. There is a photo submitted by a mountaineer with Biki in the Rockies at around 6 to 7 AM, probably waiting for the sunrise.

4. Apparently, his last text message to Leo stated something like he has to turn off his phone to save battery around 5 am?

5. He had allegedly talked to the store owner in the campsite, Mang Richard, who sold him a bottle of water at around 9 AM, while he was on his way down.

6. At around 10 AM, he was allegedly seen by a mountaineer on the fork of the old and new trail, near the Lumang Sapa, which was just 10-15 minutes away from the jump-off point... Which was another 10-15 minute walk from the Mountaineer store, where he left his things.

7. He was supposed to meet Angelyn in Manila by 12 noon, but he didn't show.

8. Angelyn, Sofia, and his father went to Cuenca, Batangas on Monday to search for him. The police shrugged it off, thinking he might be in Manila. Especially since someone claimed to see him board a bus going back to Manila on Sunday afternoon. And an alcohol-intoxicated driver (What?! Since when did driving and drinking can combine? And driving a public transportation like a bus?!) claims that he remembers leaving Victor in Megamall at around 8 am.

10. On Tuesday noon, Angel went to Megamall to verify through the CCTV cameras if Victor indeed get off, but a written request was needed, and she wasn't able to view them. On that same day, someone from Cuenca texted Angel that an unclaimed backpack was left in the mountaineer store. Hence, it was concluded that Victor was missing somewhere in the mountain. And so the search started.

My stories for Monday and Tuesday mostly came from Patrick and Angel. I wasn't present during Tuesday night and Wednesday of the search, but I came directly from work in Cavite to help. These are my observations and personal opinions during the search:

1. Most of the areas in Maculot was already searched. Clean. Negative for any signs of Victor or his things. Except for that part in the foot of the mountain, near the town proper. We were discouraged by the chief to go, was not offered police escort, and the locals there told us we cannot pass unless we travel with a local so we won't get lost. While we were there, everyone was staring at us. One man came to talk to us... then another... then another man was approaching, playing with his bolo like waving it around... When Leo saw him, he just conceded and we went down. Besides, why would an area be closed off when one is searching for someone?

2. The debriefing done by the chief has a questionable ending, simply ending with a recommendation that we stopped the search, saying that it is possible that Victor is not in the mountain, but doesn't want to be found. Huh? As his friends, he is not that kind of person. He's even slowly getting famous through his photographs. Secondly, a missing person could also be missing due to crime-related reasons, right? Even folk ones...

After the debriefing, the mayor did not stop the search, and told them to search the caves. This is the time when Deo asked if we can search that portion of the foot off the mountain. And he let us be. Just to be on the safe side, we got his councilor's number who told us that he will be sending a guide to go with us. Unfortunately, a police escort wasn't volunteered.

3. The local guides didn't seem to be volunteering much. Even the police didn't seem to be that fast or motivated in searching. But then again, maybe because it's just a job to them.

4. While on their way to the "forbidden" area, someone in a motorcycle passed by, saying that Victor was found. It was a good thing LJ called me to verify, because I told him, no! Continue on the search. Our trek was just starting too. It was like there really is something in that area that they are hiding.

5. While they were searching that "forbidden" area, several thoughts came up. The local guide, who was the ex-baranggay kagawad, was suggesting to offer monetary reward. During the case of Maricris, another mountaineer who disappeared for two weeks, say that her body was found after posting the reward. Same thing happened to another guy who got lost, but was found, barely alive. Then, he apparently knows some family background of his parents and where they work. They even believed that the helicopter was rented for 1.4M! They didn't believe that we just got it for free, through our many connections and donations. They think Biki's family is very rich.

6. While they were searching, the guide seemed to be guiding them towards other places such as the grotto, etc. It was only when they showed him the GPS/map that he finally conceded. There were even parts when the guide would say that there's no trail, but my friends claimed that it looks more like a trail than the one they were currently on! And on that trail, they were lots of places that they could search. Their team was even divided into two (because there were two guides, the ex-brgy kagawad and the one send by the mayor). They feel that the guide was getting irritated with every fork they see, asking where it leads to.

7. Whenever I ask the locals stories about Maculot such as hold-ups, they deny them. But I saw a blog (well, it was dated 2005) saying that a hold-up occurred in the campsite. Also, mountaineers also agree to this. But the locals seem to know nothing about it. Maybe they're just protecting their reputation?

8. Maricris' death was said to be due to suicide, that she was drunk that night, because she was pregnant (according to my cousin) or her boyfriend broke up with her (according to another blog). But according to my cousin who knows her personally, said that the police report stated that there was foul play involved because it seemed that she was pushed off the Rockies. My cousin said that she also climbed Maculot several times, and on that night, she was with 1 or 2 people. I don't know why her climbing-mates would let her out of their sight, especially if she was drunk at night. Second, they also combed through most parts of the mountains, including the Rockies, and nothing was seen. It was only after the monetary reward was it discovered. And the way it was discovered, they say she was pushed off the cliff. Third, we think it's very hard to climb that steep portion of the Rockies if you're drunk. Because you really have to push yourself upwards using your arms. Fourth, she was said to be missing a shoe when she was found... Though that part can be explained by other things.

9. My friends and I impromptly stayed overnight on Saturday. LJ followed, arriving before the sunrise in Cuenca. He rode a tricycle, with the driver asking him all sort of weird questions: "Saan ka pupunta?" (Where are you going?) and "Mag-isa ka lang ba?" (Are you alone?). Then the driver took him to the jump off point for the Grotto, which was dark and there was no one at sight! It was a good thing he knows his way around, so he adamantly refused saying that he's headed for the jump off point for the Rockies. Then the driver asked him questions like "Madalas ka na bang umaakyat ng Maculot? Alam mo na ang pasikot-sikot? Hindi ka na maliligaw dito?" (Do you climb Maculot frequently? Do you know your way around it? You won't get lost, anymore?) And I was thinking.. What if Victor was asked these same questions? And he replied, even sharing that he will only be going on a dayhike? He's very familiar with the mountain so he might feel comfortable enough with the local to share this. Thinking it was just small chat. I mean, I would.

10. Biki has climbed lots of mountains. I agree that this mountain is a bit slippery, especially if one is running, but if he slipped, there is usually something else that can be hold on to. And they searched the cliffs and points where he could fall, but it's just simply negative.

Coincidence? Or just watched too many movies?? Imagination override? I don't know. But these are my thoughts and opinions, and there are just too many coincidences. It's driving me crazy, but it seems that foul play is possible.

So what are the possible conclusions? Victor falling was the leading conclusion but seeing that most of the mountain was combed without any signs of him, it may be something else. Second, Biki was kidnapped or a hold-up occured. Third, engkantos cannot be explained and this can definitely fall under that. I listed it in another entry, because I cannot sleep again last night.