By Mary Judaline Partlow

SEARCH OPERATIONS. Emergency responders of Rescue 613 of Sibulan, Negros Oriental on Thursday (March 20, 2025) take part in the search for six foreign nationals who were reported missing. The foreigners took off from Valencia, Negros Oriental on Wednesday (March 19) for a day trek in Mt. Talinis but have not returned since. (Photos courtesy of Alan Cual Albay, Rescue 613/Sibulan LGU)

DUMAGUETE CITY – Search-and-rescue (SAR) operations will continue on Friday for six foreigners who were reported missing since they departed Wednesday for a day trek in Mt. Talinis in Valencia, Negros Oriental.

Valencia police identified the six missing persons as three German nationals – a certain Wolfgang, 67; Aldwin Fink, 60, and Torsten Martin Groschupp, 58; Russian national Anton Chernov, 38; British national Alexander Radvanyi, 63; and a certain Terry, a Canadian national.

Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, told the Philippine News Agency that emergency responders from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) and volunteer search groups are now scouring Mt. Talinis.

“Search operations on Thursday led to a trail where footprints were found, believed to be those of the foreigners. Also, the motorbikes they used in going to the entry point were still parked in the area where they jumped off,” Polinar said, quoting the Valencia police.

Initial police investigation showed that the six left at about 8 a.m. Wednesday for a day hike in Mt. Talinis, with no provisions for an overnight or longer stay.

Their entry point was Sitio Luwas in Barangay Malabo, Valencia and their destination was the Twin Lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao, Polinar said.

Volunteers also flew drones for an aerial search for the missing persons.

Mt. Talinis’ vast range makes search efforts challenging. It can be accessed from Valencia, Sibulan, Bacong, Dauin and other nearby areas.

Councilor Jon Rey Abada of Sibulan town said the LDRRMO and rescue groups joined the search on Thursday and are back in the area.

Village chief Rico Mier of Janay-janay, San Jose town and president of the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Farmers’ Association said farmer members are also scouring the area from the other side of the lakes.

Polinar said the Valencia LDRRMO is taking the lead and if the missing persons are not found within the next few days, they will be shifting from search-and-rescue to search-and-retrieval operations. (PNA)