• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Two of the six foreign trekkers, who were reported missing on March 19 in Valencia, Negros Oriental, were rescued on Friday, March 21.
The rescue was confirmed by police provincial spokesman, Lt. Stephen Polinar, who said the two foreigners were found by the search and rescue team in the mountainous area of Balinsasayao Twin Lakes.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the provincial government of Negros Oriental identified them as British national, Alexander Radvanyl, 63, and German national Torsten Martin Groschupp, 58.
The rescue team, who were troopers of the Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion, found them in Sitio Lunas, Barangay Blurry also in Valencia.
The four other foreign nationals, who are still missing, were Germans Wolfgang, 67, and Aldwin Fink, 60; Russian Anton Chernov, 38; and a certain Terry, 50, a Canadian.
Initial investigation of the Valencia Municipal Police Station showed the six foreign nationals were on their way to visit Balinsasayao Twin Lakes from Sitio Luwas, Barangay Malabo.
When they failed to return, a family member sought the help of the police after failing to contact them, Polinar said.
Three of the missing foreign nationals have settled with their families at East Balabag village in Valencia.
Polinar said that one of the missing foreigners is an experienced trekker, who is familiar with the trail, having hiked it multiple times.
The search for the four missing trekkers is ongoing while the two rescued foreigners are now undergoing physical examinations, he added.
Personnel of the San Jose and Sibulan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices are joining their counterparts in Valencia, in close coordination with the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office and Bureau of Fire and Protection, in the search of the four others.
Volunteers have been flying drones for an aerial search of the missing persons. | GB
