CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Authorities have called off the 10-day search and rescue operation for a 31-year-old hiker who went missing on Mount Kalatungan, shifting the case to an active missing person investigation.

Pangantucan Mayor Manolito Garces approved the termination of the search for Alkharj Zamayla on 23 June, following recommendations from the Incident Command Team.

Officials said the decision came after a comprehensive evaluation of all operational findings and was fully discussed with Zamayla’s family.

Zamayla’s family has announced a P60,000 reward for any verifiable information leading to his location or recovery.

The Northern Mindanao Police Regional Office previously reported that Zamayla had not secured a climbing permit or coordinated with local authorities before heading into the mountains.

He was last seen on 12 June between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. near a river a few minutes away from Camp 1.

Police Major Joan Navarro, a spokesperson for the Philippine National Police, said initial reports indicated Zamayla had joined a hiking activity traveling from Barangay Portulin to Barangay Mendiz.