Manila, Mar. 21, (dpa/GNA) – Two hikers were found on Friday, days after a group of six foreigners went missing while hiking near Valencia, a town in the central Philippine province of Negros Oriental, authorities said.
The others in the group, which included three Germans, plus a British, Canadian and Russian national, remain missing, according to local authorities.
The rescued hikers were from Britain and Germany, a police spokesman told dpa, though other sources did not initially confirm this.
They were found in an impassable region near the Mount Talinis volcano and are to undergo health checks.
The police spokesman said they had become separated from the other four hikers.
The Germans are said to be 67, 60 and 58 years old. Local media including the Cebu Daily News portal posted a photo of the rescued hikers.
In a Facebook post, Valencia city council earlier called for public assistance in the search for the missing men. They have been lost since Wednesday.
The hikers were reportedly on their way to two lakes in the famous Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.
Since they had only planned a day hike, they set out with minimal supplies, according to local reports.
Several search teams have been deployed, but operations were temporarily suspended overnight due to heavy rain.
Police in Valencia reported finding footprints said to belong to the missing men on Thursday. The motorbikes they used to travel to the entry point were also found at the site, police added.
Volunteers have flown drones to search the area from the air, but the operation is proving challenging due to the vast terrain surrounding the Talinis mountain valley, home to the second-highest volcano on the island of Negros.
The Philippines, renowned for its stunning beaches, also draws nature lovers, hikers and mountaineers. GNA