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| The missing hikers were last seen on Sunday morning heading up to Tarak Peak and possibly on their way to attempt a traverse. (courtesy of R. Robillos) |
An official report from Region III RDRRMC lists the rescued hikers' names as: Andrew Olivia, Michael Reyes, Vincent Lopez, Kevin Desiderio, Jerry Suwala, Bernard Bautista, Lester Comana, Mary Joy Coagin and Aleh Eteran.
Rescue operations were mounted Monday and resumed today (Tuesday) until the mountaineers were located at around 1130H. Fortunately, the missing hikers were in touch by cellphone, which enabled rescuers to narrow down their possible location. As relayed by Bryan Ronquillo, one of the SMS from the group seem to suggest that they have reached some rivers, hinting at the possibility that they reached the traverse trail: "Andito Kami halos sa tuktok ng pang apat na bundok mula sa mt.tarak. pang apat na ilog po."
As of 1400H today, the group is still on the way down and we do not have information yet regarding the hikers' physical conditions. Nonetheless, the mountaineering community reacted with relief with the news that the nine have been found. Bhadz Badillo, a friend of one of the missing hikers, tweeted (@BhadzontheGo): ""Maraming salamat po sa mga concern at prayers. Nakita na daw po ang friend ko at mga kasama nya sa Mt. Tarak. They are just waiting for other group of rescuer spara maibaba na sila. Thanks po ulit sa lahat ng tumulong!"
Some reports and reactions referenced Typhoon Labuyo in connection to this incident. However, based on testimonies of other mountaineers who were in Tarak Ridge over the weekend, the weather 'was not bad' from Saturday until Sunday afternoon though it could very well have turned for the worse in the evening with the landfall of the typhoon.
As of 1400H today, the group is still on the way down and we do not have information yet regarding the hikers' physical conditions. Nonetheless, the mountaineering community reacted with relief with the news that the nine have been found. Bhadz Badillo, a friend of one of the missing hikers, tweeted (@BhadzontheGo): ""Maraming salamat po sa mga concern at prayers. Nakita na daw po ang friend ko at mga kasama nya sa Mt. Tarak. They are just waiting for other group of rescuer spara maibaba na sila. Thanks po ulit sa lahat ng tumulong!"
Some reports and reactions referenced Typhoon Labuyo in connection to this incident. However, based on testimonies of other mountaineers who were in Tarak Ridge over the weekend, the weather 'was not bad' from Saturday until Sunday afternoon though it could very well have turned for the worse in the evening with the landfall of the typhoon.