BAGUIO CITY — Two Dutch tourists who went on a mountain trek in Banaue, Ifugao last weekend are now the subject of a search after one of them called the police hotline on Saturday to say they were lost then lost contact.
Brig. Gen. David K. Peredo, Jr., Cordillera police director, said police received a “911” call from a man who introduced himself as Dutch national, Roy Schouten, at 5:18 p.m. Saturday and his brother and he had lost their way to Barangay Pula in Banaue.
However, the brothers lost their cellular phone signal before their exact location could be determined by police.
A guesthouse lodge in Barangay Campulo, Banaue confirmed that two Dutch tourists had stayed for the night then hiked to Barangay Pula, refusing services of a guide. Another villager told police he offered to guide them along the right path, but the two insisted they go in the direction of Barlig town, Mountain Province, Mr. Peredo said. — Artemio A. Dumlao
