Mountain climbers got lost as they trekked the Brgy. Guinsaugon route for the 1st anniversary rites

By REBECCA CADAVOS (PIA Southern Leyte)
February 21, 2007

SOUTHERN LEYTE  –  At least forty five professional and amateur mountain climbers from different municipalities of Leyte and Southern Leyte including seven foreigners got lost along the way as they were trekking the route from Barangay Otikon, Libagon to Brangay Guinsaugon of St. Bernard here.

The 1st Commemorative Climb that started 16th of February at 3:00 in the afternoon at the municipality of Libagon was supposedly to arrived at Brgy. Guinsugon during the 1st landslide tragedy anniversary rites, February 17. Unfortunately, the climbers (3) who came from Leyte province particularly from Baybay and Mahaplag towns, (35) from Southern Leyte, while (5) Coral Cay members, (2) from GTZ-Tacloban City and a New Zealander lost their way and most of the members were allegedly even injured.

Southern Leyte Emergency Rescue Team (SOLERT) Head Lloyd Abiera who was not with the group received a call from his members about the incident and  immediately reported the same to the Libagon Municipal Station headed by Chief of Police  Sr. Inspector Jessie Labao who responded outright to the call.

The Active Libagon Emergency Rescue Team (ALERT) and some members of the 505 Rescue Team from Cebu City were immediately sent to the site. Men from the Alpha Coy of the 43rd IB, Philippine Army based in Brgy. Hibod-hibod, Sogod also helped the rescuers in saving the team of mountain climbers.

According to the report, the same rescue team established an Advance Command Post (ACP) about two kilometers from the highway while the others started to ascend Mt. Kan-abag and successfully rescued all the mountain climbers and safely guided and accompanied them back to Brgy. Otikon in Libagon on the same day at 11:00 in the evening.