By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY — Two of the six foreign nationals reported missing after being stranded on a hiking trail in Valencia, Negros Oriental, were rescued Friday in Sitio Ginsayaw, Barangay Malabo.
The rescued hikers were identified as 58-year-old German national Torsten Martin Groschupp and 63-year-old British national Alexander Radvanyi.
Police Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (Norppo), said the two were found at 10 a.m. in a forested area near Sitio Lunas, Barangay Malabo.
They reportedly departed from Sitio Lunas at 8 a.m. Wednesday for a trek to Twin Lakes in Sibulan town but did not return.
Polinar said the hikers may have lost their way and became separated from their four companions.
Both were brought to the municipal health center for medical examination.
No additional details were available as of this writing.
Search and rescue operations began Thursday, after a family member reported that the group failed to return home Wednesday.
The four others still missing were identified as German nationals Wolfgang, 67, and Aldwin Fink, 60; a Canadian named Terry, 50; and 38-year-old Russian national Anton Chernov.
One of the remaining hikers is reportedly an experienced guide familiar with the trail and has lived in the province for some time, according to Polinar.
Rescue efforts have been expanded with assistance from disaster response teams from nearby San Jose and Sibulan towns.
Private individuals are also supporting the operation by deploying drones to survey the trail from above.
However, the Valencia Municipal Police Station cautioned against using drones in protected areas, noting these can disturb wildlife and lead to environmental harm.
“Drones can cause animals to leave nests, change behavior, or become stressed, which affects forest preservation and may result in legal consequences,” police said.
Polinar added that weather conditions have further complicated the operation due to intermittent rain, which has made the trail slippery and hazardous.
Authorities urged those who wish to help to coordinate with the Valencia Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) to ensure safety and avoid liability.
The public was also reminded to refrain from posting inappropriate comments online, as these do not contribute to search efforts.
