By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Authorities have located all six foreign nationals who were reported missing after being stranded during a hike in Valencia, Negros Oriental on March 19.
Police Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, confirmed the rescue of the four remaining hikers on Saturday morning in Sitio Kanguntol, Barangay Silab, Amlan.
The rescued hikers were identified as German nationals Alwin Fink, 63, and Wolfgang Arthur Schlenker, 67, Australian national Terry De Gunten, 65, and Russian national Anton Chernov, 39.
Two dogs were also rescued along with the group.
The local government of Valencia said the hikers were found near a hydropower plant in Barangay Silab at around 9:44 a.m.
Polinar noted that this location is far from Sitio Lunas, Barangay Malabo in Valencia, where the group originally began their trek to Twin Lakes in Sibulan.
Rescuers had earlier found German national Torsten Martin Groschupp, 58, and British national Alexander Radvanyi, 63, at 10 a.m. Friday in Sitio Ginsayaw, Barangay Malabo.
Polinar said the two men were heading back to their starting point in Sitio Lunas when they encountered search and rescue teams.
He said they did not reach Twin Lakes and instead decided to return due to the conditions.
Their four companions, however, chose to continue the hike toward Amlan despite the weather.
Polinar said authorities have advised the hikers to rest but will investigate possible violations, as the group allegedly did not coordinate their activity with the local tourism office.
He added that the hikers’ welfare remains the priority following their rescue.
