On February 3, 2026, the Benguet Police Provincial Office (BPPO) held a mass in Barangay Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet, to offer prayers on the 26th birthday of Patrolman Aaron Langab Blas, a police trainee who has been missing since July 14, 2025.
The mass was officiated by Rev. Fr. Jezzryl P. Failagmao, Regional Pastoral Officer of the Police Regional Office–Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO CAR). It was led by Provincial Director Police Colonel Lambert A. Suerte and was attended by Itogon Municipal Mayor Hon. Bernard S. Waclin, with the cooperation of the Police Regional Office–Cordillera Administrative Region, headed by Police Colonel Ledon D. Monte, Deputy Regional Director for Operations.
Personnel from the Benguet Police Provincial Office, together with members of the 1st Apayao Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Dominador D. Mauricio, attended the activity.
Patrolman Aaron Langab Blas, a police trainee and a resident of San Gregorio, Luna, Apayao, has been missing for almost eight months following a land navigation exercise in Barangay Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet. The activity was part of his Basic Internal Security Operations Course (BISOC) training. During the post-activity attendance check, he was the only trainee who failed to return. Closed-circuit television footage showed that he was last seen at Zigzag Dam 2, Philex Mines, Ampucao, Itogon. No further sightings were recorded after that.
Following the incident, the Benguet Police Provincial Office conducted extensive search and rescue operations with the support of the Police Regional Office–Cordillera Administrative Region, the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, local government units, and community volunteers. Simultaneously, investigations, technical examinations, and verification of possible leads were carried out.
Despite sustained operations and the exhaustion of all available efforts, Patrolman Blas has yet to be located. In coordination with the family and the community, traditional rites were also conducted as part of cultural practices, while authorities continued to pursue any remaining leads.
The Benguet Police Provincial Office, together with partner agencies and the community, remains united in hope and support for the family of Patrolman Aaron Langab Blas.
No matter how long the search may take, the PNP affirm that the commitment to find him continues, strengthened by shared solidarity, cooperation, and the belief that he will one day be found.
Photos courtesy of PNP Itogon MPS MCAD
[Content and layout by BSU BA Communication OJT interns: Charmaine Capsula, Nicolle Joy Delmas, Rhyza Joie Tomas]
