5 rescued in Sierra Madre after being stranded for 7 days

Five people, including a Belgian national, were rescued by Air Force persononel Wednesday noon after being stranded for seven days in the Sierra Madre mountain range in northeastern Luzon due to inclement weather. Those rescued - all environmentalists from the Cabiao Kid Foundation - were identified as Bert Peeters, the Belgian leader of the group; and Filipinos Gari Bernal, a lawyer; Angelito Agustin; Luzviminda Lopez; and Narciso Gumangan. Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesman Lt. Col. Gerardo Zamudio said the team was rescued by the PAF elements based in Cauyan, Isabela, led by Col. Joven Ronan, commander of the PAF Tactical Operations Group 2. Zamudio said the team took off from Ilagan, Isabela, last January 13 and intended to reach on foot the town of Divilacan on the Pacific Ocean side of Sierra Madre via the thickly forested slopes of Mount Crista. However, heavy rains and strong river current trapped them along their intended route. Authorities learned of the fate of the five through Noni dela Peña, the group's Dumagat guide who was sent back from the trek to seek help. He sought the help of Isabela provincial administrator Paul Hernandez, who immediately sought PAF's assistance. The five environmentalists were immediately flown by PAF Huey helicopters to the Philippine Army 5th Infantry Division camp in Gamu, Isabela for medical attention. Of them, only Peeters was injured, as shown by the bruises on his body. - KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV