Missing 7 weeks, found dead: Body of 79-year-old man discovered on Benguet slope

ATOK, Benguet — The search for a 79-year-old man who disappeared on August 30 ended in tragedy after his lifeless body was found on a slope in Barangay Cattubo, Atok, Benguet, on October 18.

Rogelio B. Sawey, a native of Capinitan, Sabangan, Mountain Province, was discovered by resident Nathaniel Dolit in Salidet, Botiao, Cattubo, after nearly seven weeks of search operations involving rescuers, police, firefighters, barangay officials and community volunteers.

According to the Atok Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), Sawey’s house in Botiao was found locked from the outside when he went missing. His backpack, containing personal belongings he intended to bring to La Trinidad, was left inside.

Search teams from the Atok and Sabangan DRRMOs, along with other responders, conducted searches in Atok, La Trinidad and Baguio City but failed to locate him.

After discovering the body on Sunday, Dolit informed Sawey’s family, who reported the discovery to local authorities.

Following the necessary processing and retrieval, the Atok municipal government transported Sawey’s remains to his family home in Sabangan, Mountain Province, at the family’s request.

The Atok DRRMO said the discovery brought a painful end to the prolonged search, expressing hope that it would provide the bereaved family and community a measure of closure as they begin to grieve.

The local government and Sawey’s relatives also thanked the responders and volunteers who participated in the search.