Zuma joins race against time to find missing 17-year-old in Sagada

Rescue dog brings renewed hope as search for Sofia Isabela Magalgalit Oria enters sixth day

SAGADA, Mountain Province — As the search for a missing 17-year-old girl in Sagada enters its sixth day, a five-year-old golden retriever named Zuma has arrived to lend his nose—and a renewed sense of hope—to the race against time.

Zuma, together with his owner, Brett Mitchell, arrived in Sagada on August 14 to assist authorities and volunteers in the search for Sofia Isabela Magalgalit Oria of Demang, who was last seen at around 7 p.m. on August 8.

The search has been ongoing since August 9, with authorities, residents, volunteers, and other responders scouring the municipality for any sign of the teenager.

Search teams have already covered mountainous areas, thick vegetation, steep terrain, and waterways surrounding Sagada.

Despite the difficult terrain and challenging weather conditions, the search continues.

On August 13, however, Sofia’s family and elders requested the temporary suspension of the regular search operations to give authorities, volunteers, and community members time to rest after days of sustained searching.

By August 14, the operation resumed with additional personnel and resources.

Zuma’s arrival added another layer of support to the search, as government agencies and search-and-rescue teams from neighboring towns also deployed personnel to Sagada to augment the ongoing operation.

The Sagada Municipal Police Station said search teams assigned to different areas of the municipality remain in close coordination with the Incident Command Post (ICP) to ensure that operations are conducted safely and systematically.

“The teams maintained continuous coordination with the ICP and other responding teams to ensure the safe, organized, and effective conduct of the ongoing search and rescue operation,” the PNP Sagada said.

More than a rescue dog

Zuma has drawn public attention after helping in search and retrieval operations following the deadly landslide in Baguio City.

But for Mitchell, the attention surrounding Zuma should also shine a light on the many people working behind the scenes in rescue operations.

In a post on August 11, Mitchell appealed to the public to give “as many kind words and encouragement” to rescuers, responders, volunteers, and partner agencies who continue to work tirelessly despite difficult conditions.

“Zuma is getting lots of attention. And I am grateful for that. But please give as many kind words and encouragement to all the others who made the rescues possible,” Mitchell wrote.

He specifically acknowledged the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Bureau of Fire Protection, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, local government units, non-government organizations, and individuals who contributed their time, skills, and resources to the rescue efforts.

For the people of Sagada, Zuma’s arrival is more than just the deployment of another search asset.

It is another reason to keep looking.

As search teams continue combing the mountains, forests, waterways, and other difficult areas of Sagada, the community continues to hold on to hope that somewhere along the search route, a clue will lead them to Sofia—and bring the missing teenager home.