27 stranded mountaineers rescued in Pinatubo

MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-seven mountaineers got stranded over the weekend in Mount Pinatubo but were rescued afternoon by local disaster management teams.

The Pampanga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) received information about the stranded mountaineers last Sunday at 11: 22 p.m.

According to a report by Mark Rosales of the Central Luzon Television 36, the team was stranded at Mt. Pinatubo Delta 5 Sapang Uwak, an area located within Porac town. Rosales’ report was based on the information provided to him by a certain Erwin Torio.

Details of the team’s whereabouts reached local authorities through a text message sent by one of the mountaineers. According to the text message, some of the mountaineers were injured and the team is running out of food and water.  

PDRRMO sent rescue teams to the area at around 2 a.m. The police and the municipal disaster management office also deployed personnel two hours later. The local government, meanwhile, deployed 4x4 vehicles while the Air Force sent a helicopter to survey the area.  

The mountaineers were rescued at around 1:30 p.m., according to the PDRRMO. Two of the mountaineers sustained injuries.

The rescued mountaineers were identified as Dilio Aboga-a Jr., Ma. Julia Lumayag, Mae Ann Sargento, Percival Fabrigar, Malonda Gulmatico, Jocelyn Generoso, Pamela Aguirre, Elyrose Lumbo, Anthony Admendilla, Rowell Mendoza, Vina Marie Arellano, Vhemz Portillano, Anne Young, Teody Fraylon, Roderick Canicula, Tintin Sermona, Kate Cheng, Betina Reyes, Jhonel Depalak, Ronnie Angeles, Edithel Ann Cadangan, Christine Merced, Nina Bulandi, Jeervis Jaylo, Jane Tanamor, Dharz Malonzo, and Christian Insigna.