ANGELES CITY– A Belgian environmentalist and five others who were reported missing in the virgin forests of Isabela province were rescued at 11 a.m. Wednesday as they were trapped on a mound of rocks amidst the raging waters of the Abuan river in the Sierra Madre mountains.
Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) acting commander Maj. Gen. Lino Horacio, also concurrent commander of the 1st Air Division of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), identified the rescued mountain trekkers as Belgian Bert Peeters, lawyer Gari Bernal, Angelito Agustin, Luzviminda Lopez and Narciso Gumangan. Their guide, Nonie dela Pena, a Dumagat was also rescued.
Nolcom spokesperson Maj. Rosendo Armas said the trekkers were reported missing after their second Dumagat guide, identified as Noni de la Pena, took risk to swim in the raging waters of the Abuan river to seek help. The group started their trek to the Sierra Mountain ranges from Ilagan, Isabela, last Jan. 13.
The trekkers were already on their way to the foot of the town of Divilacan of the other side of the Sierra Madre mountains facing the Pacific Ocean. They were crossing the Abuan river on the slopes of Mt. Crista when heavy rains at the upper reaches of the mountain ranges caused the river to suddenly swell, prompting them to seek refuge on a mound of rocks, Armas said.
Armas said the victims belonged to the Cabiao Kid Foundation, an environmentalist group based in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija.
Horacio noted that “the rough and mountainous terrain of Isabela is attracting both local and foreign tourists as it is perfect for trekking, mountaineering, camping and exploration not only in Divilacan forest area but also in Palanan, Dinapigue, and Maconacon.”
Horacio said he dispatched two UH1H helicopters from the Tactical Operations Group 2 for rescue operations. Two hours after they flew off from Camp Aquino in Tarlac City, the air borne rescuers spotted the trekkers still trapped on the mound amid the still raging currents of the Abuan river.
“The lead helicopter skillfully maneuvered to land in a very critical location and extracted the trekkers,” he noted.
Except for the Belgian who had fever and whose legs were swollen, the other trekkers were unhurt.
All six were brought to the 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army Hospital for medical check-up and immediate treatment.
Horacio congratulated the rescuers for “a job well done.”
Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) acting commander Maj. Gen. Lino Horacio, also concurrent commander of the 1st Air Division of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), identified the rescued mountain trekkers as Belgian Bert Peeters, lawyer Gari Bernal, Angelito Agustin, Luzviminda Lopez and Narciso Gumangan. Their guide, Nonie dela Pena, a Dumagat was also rescued.
Nolcom spokesperson Maj. Rosendo Armas said the trekkers were reported missing after their second Dumagat guide, identified as Noni de la Pena, took risk to swim in the raging waters of the Abuan river to seek help. The group started their trek to the Sierra Mountain ranges from Ilagan, Isabela, last Jan. 13.
The trekkers were already on their way to the foot of the town of Divilacan of the other side of the Sierra Madre mountains facing the Pacific Ocean. They were crossing the Abuan river on the slopes of Mt. Crista when heavy rains at the upper reaches of the mountain ranges caused the river to suddenly swell, prompting them to seek refuge on a mound of rocks, Armas said.
Armas said the victims belonged to the Cabiao Kid Foundation, an environmentalist group based in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija.
Horacio noted that “the rough and mountainous terrain of Isabela is attracting both local and foreign tourists as it is perfect for trekking, mountaineering, camping and exploration not only in Divilacan forest area but also in Palanan, Dinapigue, and Maconacon.”
Horacio said he dispatched two UH1H helicopters from the Tactical Operations Group 2 for rescue operations. Two hours after they flew off from Camp Aquino in Tarlac City, the air borne rescuers spotted the trekkers still trapped on the mound amid the still raging currents of the Abuan river.
“The lead helicopter skillfully maneuvered to land in a very critical location and extracted the trekkers,” he noted.
Except for the Belgian who had fever and whose legs were swollen, the other trekkers were unhurt.
All six were brought to the 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army Hospital for medical check-up and immediate treatment.
Horacio congratulated the rescuers for “a job well done.”
