Failed Rescue
As he ran toward the drowning swimmer, Crebillo tripped on holes on the side of Lake Venado. When he was already knee-deep in cold water and ready to dive in, he suffered a leg cramp. Most of the other mountaineers who followed suit experienced the same cramps. There was a reason swimming in the freezing lake was forbidden.
Others frantically tried to gather ropes and empty water gallons, while some stayed on the sidelines, beaten by fear. Jeffrey Parantar, an experienced swimmer, was able to reach Ian, who was still conscious, and pulled him toward the bank. But Parantar ran out of breath after Ian grabbed him by the waist and pulled him down as Ian desperate struggled to surface for air. Parantar also developed cramps in both legs, leaving him with few options. He attempted a one-hand backstroke, grabbing Ian by the hair with his other hand. But what little was left of his energy wore on fast.
Killer Water. Authorities forbid the swimming in the lake. But that did not stop people, like these in the picture, from taking a dip.(davaotoday.com photo by Cheryll D. Fiel)
At this time, Crebillo called the attention of the porters — residents around Mount Apo who are hired to carry the mountaineers’ heavy loads — to help in the rescue while securing a rope to help pull Ian out. Parantar was floating toward the bank when the porters spotted him and pulled him out of the water, unaware that Ian was still in the lake, drowning fast. Crebillo told the porters and another Malmoc member to go back into the water. But it was too late. Ian could no longer be found.
Premonitions
Days before the trek, Ians friends and family said they saw signs, which they interpreted as premonitions of what would happen.
Ians mother said her son had asked her to claim his cellphone at the pawnshop if ever he wouldn’t be there to do it. He had pawned the cellphone to finance his trek to Mount Apo.
A neighbor saw Ian without his head — twice — when Ian came to their store to buy supplies. A friend also said Ian had told him to keep the video they were taking as a remembrance because he would be going to Mount Apo where he would be famous and will be seen on TV.
During the trek, a Lumad named Gudi-Gudi warned Crebillo when they were still at the foot of Mount Apo to watch carefully two of his companions because something bad will happen. Crebillo said Gudi-Gudi approached him first while he was telling his group to gather around for a prayer before the climb. When the group passed by Gudi-Gudis house on their way to the peak, the native reminded him again to be watchful.
Crebillo did watch the two girls in his group very closely because he thought they were the ones Gudi-Gudi was referring to. He breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the peak and went down to Lake Venado safely. Until he saw the drowning of Ian Caasi.
