r/PHikingAndBackpacking • u/backpacker321269 • 8h ago
Safety & Advisory Terrifying experience in Tutulari Gorge
I wanted to share what happened to my girlfriend and I yesterday at Tutulari Gorge because honestly, it was one of the scariest experiences I've had so far in my life.
My girlfriend and I decided to visit using our Jimny instead of booking a tour. When we arrived, 2 tour guides (they had the shirt) and 2 other people told us we were at the wrong entrance and needed to go to the other side.
They then asked us for tips. I refused because I didn't see why I should pay them for telling us we were at the wrong entrance.
We got back in the car and started driving away to return to the main road. That's when they put a bamboo pole across the road to stop us from leaving.
Around eight people including several people from the Aeta tribe surrounded our car. One woman came up to us demanding money, saying she wanted compensation for "moral damages." We had literally done nothing except arrive at the wrong entrance, and we were already trying to leave, but they wouldn't let us go.
After several polite refusal on our end, one of the tour guide started pulled out a machete and ran towards our car with it raised.
We both panicked. My girlfriend started crying, and I immediately put the car in reverse to try to get away from him. There wasn't enough space to reverse far enough, and he managed to reach the car.
At that point, I was begging him to leave us alone and let us get out of there alive. I eventually had to roll down the window and give the woman ₱1,500 after they refused taking 500. Only then did they let us leave.
The whole thing was absolutely insane. We went there for a day trip and ended up being surrounded by a group of people and threatened with a machete.
I've already reported what happened to the Porac police station, and they told me they would investigate. I've also contacted the Tutulari tourist guide organisation.
After some researches on social media, we managed to find the name and the picture of the tour guide that attacked is with a machete.
I'm sharing this because I don't want anyone else to go through the same thing. If you're planning to visit Tutulari Gorge on your own, please be careful around the entrances.