PANABO CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE, Philippines — A clandestine search for hidden wealth turned into a deadly disaster in Barangay Upper Licanan on Sunday, April 26, 2026, as a tunnel collapse left two men dead and three others feared trapped deep underground. The incident has triggered a massive, high-stakes rescue operation involving local disaster units and heavy machinery.

The group was reportedly conducting an unauthorized "treasure hunt" on private property when the tunnel, estimated to be several dozen feet deep, structurally failed due to unstable soil conditions.

According to the Panabo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the alarm was raised early Sunday morning by a local resident who noticed the frantic efforts of a few survivors at the tunnel entrance.

First responders arrived to find the bodies of two men near the mouth of the shaft, apparently suffocated or crushed during the initial collapse. However, the mission quickly shifted to a rescue focus as survivors confirmed that three additional members of their party were further inside when the ceiling gave way.

"The ground in this area is notoriously loose," said a CDRRMO official at the scene. "Excavating without professional shoring or engineering oversight in these conditions is essentially a suicide mission."

Rescue teams are facing extreme challenges as they attempt to reach the missing trio. The air quality inside the narrow, unventilated shaft is a major concern, with rescuers using specialized fans to pump oxygen into the depths.

Rescue teams in Panabo City are facing a precarious environment that complicates every stage of the operation. The primary concern is structural instability, as the vibrations from the heavy machinery required for excavation could easily trigger secondary collapses.

This danger is magnified by a total lack of mapping; because the tunnel was a clandestine, illegal project, rescuers are essentially flying blind without blueprints or knowledge of its depth. Compounding these risks, adverse weather in the Davao region is currently softening the soil, further endangering the lives of the personnel attempting to reach the trapped individuals.

Panabo City authorities have cordoned off the area and launched a full investigation. Preliminary reports suggest the activity was conducted without any permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or the local government unit.

Illegal treasure hunting remains a persistent issue in parts of Mindanao, driven by local folklore regarding "Yamashita Treasure" or hidden gold from previous eras.

"We understand the lure of these legends, but no amount of gold is worth a human life," stated a city spokesperson. "We are urging the public to report any suspicious digging in their communities to prevent another tragedy like this."

As of Sunday evening, search lights have been deployed as the rescue operation continues through the night. The identities of the victims are being withheld until their immediate families are notified.