FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — Joint elements of the Philippine Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion and the police station of Floridablanca, Pampanga rescued 70 mountaineers, hikers, and cyclists stranded in the upland areas of the town due to bad weather conditions.
Two consecutive days of search and rescue operations were undertaken to effect the rescue.
48IB commanding officer Lt. Col. Felix Emeterio M. Valdez reported that 23 of the stranded were rescued at the outskirts of Barangay Mawacat, Floridablanca on the midnight of Oct. 11 and were properly turned-over to the local leaders of their respective localities.
Valdez said 16 others are from Barangay Apalit in Floridablanca, five from Lubao, and two cyclists from Calumpit, Bulacan who reached the crasher site – the waiting area for hikers – by foot after leaving their vehicles and mountain bikes in the vicinity of Malalatawan Falls at the onset of bad weather.
On Oct. 12, 47 other individuals were rescued at Sitio Telapayong along the boundaries of Floridablanca and Subic, Zambales: 18 are 4×4 wheelers from Guagua and San Fernando; the rest are motor riders — 11 from Mexico, Pampanga, 10 from Barangay Solib and eightfrom Barangay Mabical, both in Floridablanca.
The Army immediately conducted a debriefing and accounting of the rescued individuals for proper documentation upon reaching Barangay Mawacat proper after they were provided food, beverages and first aid by the search-and-rescue team.
Major General Alfredo V. Rosario Jr., commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division commended the 48IB for their efforts in rescuing the stranded individuals.
This, as he reminded mountaineers, hikers and cyclists to always be mindful of their safety when venturing inoutdoor activities.
Of the rescue, Brig. Gen. Andrew D. Costelo, 703rd Brigade commander said: “The safety and security of the people have always been our priority in times of calamities as it is one of our given tasks.” With PR/48IB
*Contributed photos
